Habitat degradation combined with illegal hunting, conflicts and extreme climate events have increased threats to the survival of African forest elephants.

At an online meeting on January 26 organized by the “Elephant Protection Initiative”, Environment Ministers of African countries said that African forest elephants are threatened with extinction due to increasing threats. related to climate change, habitat loss, illegal hunting and conflicts between local communities.

According to Nigerian Environment Minister Sharon Ikeazor, it is necessary to apply strong interventions to save the lives of the remaining African forest elephants because they are part of the continent’s animal heritage. This.

Ms. Ikeazor stated that drastic actions are needed to save the elephant species because they are facing many threats such as habitat loss, disease, illegal hunting and pressure related to the increase in population. human population.

Also according to Nigeria’s Environment Minister, expanding protected areas, strengthening monitoring, community participation and law enforcement are key factors to ensure the survival of African forest elephants. Fly.

Also on this issue, Gabon Minister of Forestry, Oceans, Environment and Climate Change Lee White said that the deterioration of habitat along with illegal hunting, conflicts and other phenomena Climate extremes have increased the threat to the survival of African forest elephants.

Mr. White called for interventions that include expanding forest cover, improving land use practices and encouraging local communities to protect and halt the decline of forests. number of this animal.

According to Cameroon’s Minister of Forestry and Wildlife, Jules Doret Ndongo, protecting African forest elephants is a key factor in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem and earning foreign exchange from tourism.

Last year, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) headquartered in Geneva (Switzerland) announced that African forest elephants are at high risk of extinction because they are illegally hunted for their ivory and Losing natural habitat rapidly.

According to the African Wildlife Conservation Fund based in Nairobi (Kenya), more than 60% of the population of the above animal species has been illegally hunted in the past decade.