The African elephant – something to cherish and to use

The African savannah (bush) elephant Loxodonta africana is a wonderful animal, yet at the same time it is a problem both to the environment and to rural people. Aspects of its biology are listed, and its valuable products are noted. These latter are its ecotourism potential, its trophy (some spectacular tusks are tabulated), the ivory itself, skin, curios, and meat. The ‘elephant problem’ became apparent in Africa in the early 1960s: the bulls in particular can severely damage trees, and this effect is seen from an elephant density of 0.5 per sq. km. Throughout Africa, with the exception of southern Africa, poaching has been rampant and has culled the populations. Management aspects, such as legal culling, are considered. Ecotourism dollars should be re‐invested in the resource, and sustainable use of the animal should be the governing idea.