Roaming giants: Top 10 countries by elephant population

Botswana Home to the largest elephant population in the world, Botswana hosts over 1,30,000 elephants, mostly African savannah elephants. The country has vast protected areas like Chobe National Park that support thriving herds.

Zimbabwe With approximately 50,000 elephants, Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park is a key habitat. It faces challenges from drought and human conflict but remains vital for elephant conservation in southern Africa.

Tanzania Tanzania holds around 60,000 elephants, mainly in the Serengeti and Selous ecosystems. Despite poaching threats, conservation areas like Tarangire and Ruaha National Parks offer critical protection.

Kenya Kenya has over 35,000 elephants and is known for innovative conservation methods. Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks are major strongholds, with rising numbers due to anti-poaching and community efforts.

South Africa From just 120 elephants in 1920, South Africa now boasts 24,000, primarily in Kruger and Addo Elephant National Parks, showcasing remarkable conservation success.

Namibia Namibia is home to around 24,000 elephants, including desert-adapted herds. Its community-based conservancy model is globally praised for promoting coexistence and protecting elephant corridors across harsh landscapes.

Zambia This landlocked central African country has 22,000 elephants, predominantly in Luangwa Valley and Lower Zambezi National Park, showing population rise due to recent efforts.

India India has about 27,000 Asian elephants, mostly in southern and northeastern regions. Karnataka, Kerala and Assam lead in numbers. Temples and festivals reflect the elephant’s cultural and religious significance.

Mozambique Mozambique’s elephant population, around 10,800, is recovering from a civil war that decimated 90 per cent of its elephants, leading to unique evolutionary adaptations in females.

Gabon Gabon hosts over 95,000 forest elephants, a genetically distinct species. These elusive elephants inhabit dense rainforests and play a key role in maintaining biodiversity in Central Africa’s ecosystems.

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