過去森林象及草原象都被例為非洲象並屬易危物種，兩種非洲象所棲息的地區及生境有別，基本上沒有重疊的棲息範圍。而最新的研究顯示，森林象的數量在過往31年下降了86%，現屬極危物種；草原象的數量在過往50年下降了60%，則屬瀕危物種。

In the past, African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) and African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana) were both listed as the same species and was a Vulnerable species. recently research shows the habitats and distributions are different for both species, and they rarely overlap. the population of African forest elephant has declined 86% in the past 31 years and is now listed as Critically Endangered; the number of African savanna elephant has dropped 60% in the last 50 years, and it is now listed as Endangered. 

https://www.iucn.org/news/species/202103/african-elephant-species-now-endangered-and-critically-endangered-iucn-red-list