Elephants are the largest land mammals on earth and have distinctly massive bodies, large ears, and long trunks. They use their trunks to pick up objects, trumpet warnings, greet other elephants, or suck up water for drinking or bathing, among other uses.

African elephants have less room to roam than ever before as expanding human populations convert land for agriculture, settlements and developments. The elephants’ range shrank from three million square miles in 1979 to just over one million square miles in 2007.

Asian elephants are extremely sociable, forming groups of six to seven related females that are led by the oldest female, the matriarch. Like African elephants, these groups occasionally join others to form larger herds, although these associations are relatively short-lived.

Learn about African forest elephants, as well as the threats this species faces, what WWF is doing to protect its future, and how you can help.

Elephants are not only a cultural icon in India and throughout Asia, they also help to maintain the integrity of their forest and grassland habitats.

African savanna elephants are the largest species of elephant and the biggest terrestrial animal on Earth. They are easily distinguished by their very large ears—which allow them to radiate excess heat—and front legs which are noticeably longer than the hind legs.

Elephants are ecosystem engineers and play a vital role in their native habitats, helping maintain the rich biodiversity of the spaces they share with other wildlife. Though elephants are native …

Elephants are a keystone species that dramatically affect their landscape as seed dispersers, influencing forest composition.

Why are Asian elephants in Southeast Asia and China of particular conservation concern? In Southeast Asia and China, Asian elephants are facing escalating habitat loss and fragmentation, human-elephant conflict, poaching, and small populations that are increasingly isolated.

WWF is committed to saving endangered species. Learn more about the species we are working to protecting from becoming endangered or extinct.