A recent assessment by conservation experts has sounded the alarm over the dramatic decline of two elephant species in Africa.

The African elephant populations are now on the brink of extinction due to the twin threats of poaching and habitat destruction.

**Forest elephants are now listed as critically endangered, while savanna elephants (pictured) are listed as endangered. Pic: PA/Jane Wynyard/Save the Elephants**

The African forest elephants, native to the West African and Congo basin regions, have been declared critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), marking a significant step in their decline.

Similarly, the savanna elephants, also known as bush elephants and the largest land animals on Earth, have been classified as endangered by the IUCN.

**National reserve parks, like the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, have helped stabilise the population of some elephants**

This assessment paints a grim picture of the elephant population in Africa, which had previously been categorized as a single species and labeled as “vulnerable” to extinction on the IUCN’s Red List.

These two distinct species of African elephants were once commonly found throughout the continent, but their numbers have experienced substantial drops over recent decades.

The African forest elephants have seen their population plummet by over 86% within 31 years, while the bush elephant population has decreased by 60% in just half a century.

**Poachers continue to kill elephants for their valuable ivory tusks**

The primary driver behind this sharp decline, as highlighted by experts, is the rampant poaching for ivory that has surged since 2008, despite the international ivory trade ban established in 1989.

This illegal practice peaked in 2011, resulting in a significant threat to elephant populations.

Conservation efforts have provided a glimmer of hope in certain regions. Due to dedicated conservation work in Gabon and the Congo, some African forest elephant populations have stabilized.

**While poachers pose a threat to the survival of elephants in Africa, habitat changes have also caused the numbers to decline**

Additionally, bush elephants have remained steady or even shown growth in countries such as Angola, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe – the latter being home to the largest subpopulation of elephants in Africa.

Dr. Bruno Oberle, the Director-General of IUCN, emphasized the urgent need to halt poaching and underscored the Red List’s role in highlighting the ongoing pressures faced by these iconic creatures.

He stressed African elephants’ vital roles in ecosystems, economies, and global cultural significance.

“We must ensure the conservation of sufficient, suitable habitat for both forest and savanna elephants,” Dr. Oberle stated.

He highlighted successful conservation efforts in various African countries, advocating for collective action to follow their example in reversing the declining elephant populations.

The IUCN’s Red List, updated thrice annually, provides a snapshot of species’ conservation status.

The latest update for 2021 has assessed over 134,000 species, with more than a quarter (37,480) falling under the critically endangered, endangered, and vulnerable categories.

The update introduces 5,537 new animal species, including the New Zealand long-tailed bat, Caribbean reef shark, Indian-eyed turtle, Tsushima brown frog, spineback guitarfish, African spurred tortoise, and four-eyed turtle.

In the UK, six animal species were reassessed in this update, encompassing the hound shark, common dolphin, bottlenose whale, eagle ray, freshwater mussels, and pea blue butterflies.

Canidae Pet Food Reviews: An In-Depth Look

Choosing the right pet food is crucial for the health and well-being of our furry friends. In this blog post, we'll delve deep into Canidae pet food, a popular choice among pet owners, and provide an in-depth review based on various sources.

Canidae is a well-known brand in the pet food industry, offering a range of products designed to cater to pets of all ages, breeds, and sizes.

Product Range:

Canidae All-Life Stages (Dry): This vet-formulated product suits dogs of all ages, breeds, and sizes. It's available in both dry and wet formulas.
Canidae Pure: A limited-ingredient diet crafted for dogs with food sensitivities. Each recipe typically includes 7 to 10 ingredients.

Key Ingredients

The Canidae All Life Stages Multi Protein Formula, which represents the brand's product line, contains ingredients like chicken meal, turkey meal, brown rice, peas, oatmeal, and barley. Chicken meal, the primary ingredient, is a meat concentrate with nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.

Recalls and Safety

Canidae has had recalls in the past. It's essential to stay updated with the brand's recall history to ensure your pet's safety.

Customer Reviews

The Canidae Dog Food product line has earned an overall rating of 4.5 stars from The Dog Food Advisor. The Canidae All Life Stages Dog Food has received the Advisor's second-highest tier rating of 4.5 stars.

Pros and Cons:

Pros: High protein content, suitable for all life stages, contains beneficial ingredients like flaxseed and taurine.
Cons: It contains some controversial ingredients, and not all minerals are chelated, which might affect absorption.

Conclusion

Canidae All Life Stages is a grain-inclusive dry dog food that uses a notable amount of named meat meals as its primary source of animal protein. With an above-average protein content and a profile suggesting a significant amount of meat, it comes highly recommended for pet owners.