African elephants are the largest land animals on Earth. They are smart and social, but their numbers are decreasing. A new study shows that elephant populations have dropped a lot over the past 50 years. The study, which looked at 475 sites in 37 African countries from 1964 to 2016, focused on two types of elephants: savanna and forest elephants. It found that savanna elephant numbers have decreased by 70% and forest elephants by 90%. On average, elephant numbers have dropped by 77%, mostly because of poaching and losing their homes. Poaching, mainly for ivory, affects elephants in Asia, while farming and other activities are destroying their habitats. Forest elephants, which are already fewer in number, are suffering the most. In some places like Mali, Chad, and Nigeria, elephants are gone completely. However, there is some good news. In southern Africa, elephant numbers have increased in 42% of the areas studied, especially in Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, thanks to conservation efforts. In 2016, it was estimated that there were between 415,000 and 540,000 African elephants left. Saving them is important for keeping Africa’s ecosystems healthy.