Loxodonta africana knochenhaueri

(Matschie, 1900)

Vernacular names
English : East African Elephant
French : Eléphant d’Afrique de l’Est

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Proboscidea
Family : Elephantidae
Notes : 3 other subspecies known.

Identification
The largest and heaviest terrestrial animal in existence, reaching 7.5 m in length, 4 m in shoulder height and weight up to 10 tons. Very large ears, mostly angular forehead. Both sexes can grow long tusks. Thick mostly hairless grey skin.

Range and habitat
This subspecies occurs in East Africa, in south-west Somalia, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Species is found in most of subsaharan Africa (scattered populations). Mostly found in dry woodlands, scrublands and savannas.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix I
Status : The species occurs mostly in protected areas. Its populations in the wild are well managed and protected but many of them are still declining.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America, EEP in Europe

Observation

 

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