Habitat loss and poaching have driven dramatic declines in African elephants, but it is challengingto measure their numbers and monitor changes across the entire continent. A new study hasanalyzed 53 years of population survey data and found large-scale declines in most populations ofboth species of African elephants. From 1964–2016, forest elephant populations decreased on average by 90%, and savanna elephantpopulations fell on average by 70%. In combination, populations declined by 77% on average. Thestudy compiled survey data from 475 sites in 37 countries, making it the most comprehensiveassessment of African elephants to date. Declines were not uniform across the continent, with some populations disappearing completelyand others showing rapid growth. Colorado State University Professor George Wittemyer, one ofthe architects of the study and chair of the scientific board of Save the Elephants, said thatidentifying success stories where elephant populations are stable or increasing could help with theirconservation.