So many elephant habitats have declined

Because of their appearance, they are considered one of the most popular wild animals – elephants.

But despite great attention, the animals in their populations are threatened. Their imposing tusks often make elephants victims of poaching. The reason: the greed for the white gold – the ivory.

But the gentle giants are threatened not only by poaching, but also by the massive loss of their habitat. A research team has investigated how much the habitat of Asian elephants is changing (Elephas maximus) changed over the past three centuries.

According to the study, the animals came to a complete standstill in 2015 3.36 million square kilometers less green available than 1700.

In 315 years, their habitat has shrunk by almost two-thirds. The habitats of Asian elephants range from grasslands to rainforests. The elephants have been driven out by humans. The historical reasons include cultivation and settlement, as well as the high intensity of land use.

But climate change is also causing populations to decline and species to become extinct. China and India record the largest loss of habitat for large animals, followed by Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam and Sumatra. That reports the study published in “Scientific Reports”.

In any case, many elephants would already live in places that don’t do them justice. The consequences: thirst, hunger and conflicts with people.

(cst)