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Elephant Population by Country 2024

Elephants are among the most popular animals on Earth. People are endlessly fascinated by them, and there are numerous species of elephants. Many people flock to the zoo to see local elephants, but there is nothing quite like seeing them in the wild. The vast majority of elephants are located in Africa. Elephants are inextricably tied with Africa, and there are many people who visit Africa every year to go on safaris. Unfortunately, given that Africa is still a developing part of the world, it is a haven for poachers, who are people who try to kill elephants to sell their tusks for ivory.

Which Country Has the Most Elephants on Earth?

It can be difficult to determine the exact number of elephants in each country, as elephants do not respect national borders. On the other hand, it is estimated that Botswana has the most elephants of any country on Earth. It is estimated that Botswana has approximately 13,000 elephants living within its borders. It is also considered to be one of the very last strongholds for elephants on Earth, as the poaching of elephants continues to destroy what remains of African elephant populations. Even though there is a lot of protection in place for elephants all over the world, including in African countries, it can be difficult for disorganized, corrupt African governments to compete with the resources that the poachers can bring to the table.

Are There Any Elephants in Asia?

Given that you can pass from Africa to Asia by land, there are a lot of people who wonder if Asia is home to any elephant populations. Yes, there are elephants that live in Asia, but there are not as many elephants in Asia as there are in Africa. A significant number of Asian elephants are located in India, but India's elephant population has taken a nosedive during the past few years as well. Right now, there are approximately 27,000 elephants living in India, but this is significantly fewer than there were just a decade ago. About a decade ago, approximately one million elephants were living in the wild in India. The population has decreased dramatically because of poaching. It is a significant problem in Asia.

Does the United States Have Any Elephants?

Yes, there are some elephants living in the United States, but they do not live in the wild. Wild elephants are not native to North America. Therefore, the elephants that live in the United States are located in zoos. They are among the most attractive exhibits in local zoos across the United States, and there are people who fly into local zoos just to see elephants. There is some debate regarding whether elephants should be kept in a zoo, but the reality is that this is one of the best ways to preserve them. Given that the wild is not safe for elephants, many people view keeping elephants in zoos as a way of keeping the population alive.

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Country
# of Elephants
Year
Notes
Botswana130,0002021
Zimbabwe100,0002021
Tanzania60,0002021
Kenya35,5002022
South Africa24,0002020
Zambia22,0002016
India17,0002021
Population estimated to range from 17,000 to 26,000
Mozambique10,8002022
Gabon10,0002020
Population estimated to range from 10,000 to 15,000
DR Congo7,0002021
Cameroon6,5002021
Uganda4,8642016
Thailand3,800Unrecorded
Angola3,395Unrecorded
Myanmar2,000Unrecorded
Malaysia1,2202022
Population estimated to range from 1,220 to 1,700
Indonesia1,2002022
Population estimated to range from 1,200 to 2,400
Ethiopia8002016
Malawi8002016
Laos8002022
Chad7502016
Nigeria400Unrecorded
Mali2502016
China200Unrecorded
Population estimated to range from 200 to 250
Vietnam1002021
Total443,379
showing: 25 rows

Which country has most elephants in the world?

The majority of elephants live on the continent of Africa, and Botswana, with around 13,000 elephants, is said to be the country with the most.

Frequently Asked Questions

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