AN average decline of 90 percent for the African elephant population, a 70 percent decline for the savannah elephant population and a combined average decline of 77 percent across both species in the continent has been affirmed in a recent study.

George Wittemyer, top expert with Save the Elephants and senior author of the study, said that the study published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was conducted by two conservation groups, Save the Elephants and the Wildlife Conservation Society.

The study helped pinpoint regions where the population of the iconic land mammals increased and successful conservation efforts, with the population of both savannah and forest elephant species having declined sharply in the past half a century across sub-Saharan Africa.

The just released research report analysed hundreds of population surveys from 475 sites across 37 African countries between 1964 and 2016, focusing on the population dynamics of elephants in their natural habitats.

"We must develop and implement a portfolio of effective solutions to address the diverse challenges elephants face across Africa," the lead author intoned, asserting that trends of the elephant population in the continent varied significantly.

While some populations disappeared entirely, others recorded dramatic growth, the study affirms, elaborating that in southern Africa, the savannah elephant population saw an average increase of 42 percent, while only 10 percent of surveyed populations in eastern Africa showed growth.

By contrast, northern savannahs recorded no elephant population growth, with many elephant groups becoming extinct, it said, underlining that these trends show the severe threats facing these land mammals, including poaching, habitat loss and climate-related stresses.

Boo Maisels, a conservation scientist at the Wildlife Conservation Society and a contributing author of the study, said that if well protected and managed, the African elephants can still thrive in their natural habitats despite the myriad threats they face.