Poaching (偷猎) and habitat loss have threatened Africa's two species of elephants, taking them closer toward the edge of extinction, according to a new report released by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Before this update, Africa 's elephants were grouped together and were evaluated as vulnerable (脆弱的) by the IUCN. This is the first time the two species have been classified separately. In the past, elephants were mostly considered as either Asian elephants or African elephants. Forest and savanna elephants were typically classified as subspecies of African elephants.
The African forest elephant is now listed as critically endangered and the African savanna elephant as endangered. The number of African forest elephants fell by more than 86% over a 31-year assessment period. The population of African savanna elephants dropped by at least 60% over the last 50 years, according to the IUCN, which tracks the assessment risk of the world's animals. Africa currently has an estimated 415,000 elephants, counting the two species together.
Both elephant species experienced significant population decreases because of poaching. Although it peaked in 2011, illegal hunting still happens and continues to threaten elephant populations. African elephants also face continued habitat loss as their land is converted for agriculture or other uses.
There is some good conservation news, the IUCN points out. Anti-poaching measures, combined with better land use planning to support better human-wildlife relationships, have helped conservation efforts. Some forest elephant population figures have stabilized in well-managed are as in Gabon and the Republic of Congo and savanna population figures have remained stable or have been growing, particularly in the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area in southern Africa.
But with persistent demand for ivory and increasing human pressures on Africa's wild lands, concern for Africa's elephants is high, and the need to creatively conserve and wisely manage these animals and their habitats is severer than ever.
70. Which of the following can describe African forest elephants?
A.Their situation is even worse. | B.They are divided into two kinds. |
C.They're under threat due to poaching only. | D.Their population has grown in Gabon. |
71. What does the underlined word “converted” in Paragraph 4 probably mean?
A.Expanded. | B.Accumulated. | C.Transformed. | D.Classified. |
72. What's the author's attitude to the present situation of African elephants?
A.Uninterested. | B.Optimistic. | C.Uncertain. | D.Worried. |
73. What's the main idea of the text?
A.Poaching and habitat loss will make elephants extinct. |
B.Both of Africa's elephant species are now endangered. |
C.More and more African elephants are being illegally hunted. |
D.More measures should be taken to protect African elephants. |