| The Bush and the Forest Elephants were formerly | | | | presumed to be the antecedent of the modern |
| considered as subspecies of the same species | | | | African elephants. Poaching reduced significantly the |
| Loxodonta Africana. This has been a source of a lot | | | | population of the African elephant. If we look at the |
| of arguments where evidence has been put forward | | | | elephant population in the country of Chad, they |
| to suggest that they should be in different species. | | | | were about 400,000 in the 1970s. In 2006 only about |
| Up to date, no concrete solution has been reached. | | | | 10,000 remained. |
| The African forest elephant has longer and narrower | | | | Most African countries are giving the animals' state |
| mandible, round ears, straighter and downward tusks, | | | | protection. In some countries like Kenya, it is a |
| a different number of toenails is is considerably | | | | criminal offence to be found handling anything to do |
| smaller than its counter part the bush elephant. | | | | with the elephant. Elephant orphanages have been |
| The African Bush Elephant has 4 toenails on the front | | | | opened to try and raise the orphaned young then |
| foot and 3 on the hind feet. The African elephant has | | | | realize them to the wild. Here, the population of the |
| 5 toenails on the front foot and 4 on the hind foot. | | | | African elephant has started rising steadily. Human |
| Other species that were there but are now extinct | | | | encroachment in to natural areas where the |
| are the Loxodonta adaurora, Loxodonta atlantica and | | | | elephants live is also affecting the population of the |
| Loxodonta exaptata. Loxodonta adaurora is | | | | African elephant. |
