African Elephant Action Plan

The African Elephant Action Plan (AEAP) is a framework for the conservation and management of the African elephant. It was developed, and is owned and managed, by the African elephant range States, and as such represents and seeks to address the real ‘situation on the ground’ in terms of what actions must be taken in order to effectively conserve elephants in Africa across their range. It was not intended to be an exhaustive analysis of the status of elephant populations and their conservation across Africa, but rather a concise and clear statement of those activities which must be implemented and most urgently require funding if Africa’s elephants throughout their range are to be protected from the multiple and serious threats they face. The goal of the AEAP is to secure and restore where possible sustainable elephant populations throughout their present and potential range in Africa, recognizing their potential to provide ecological, social, cultural and economic benefits. It is also utilized by the range States in the development of their national elephant action/management plans. The AEAP was revised and updated in 2023.