What Is an Enemy of the African Elephant?

By Staff WriterLast Updated April 08, 2020

Because of their size, adult elephants, including the African elephant, are classified as having no natural enemies. However, elderly, sick or baby elephants can fall prey to other animals, such as lions and crocodiles.

Since elephants travel in herds, it is difficult for a predator to attack. However, if these predators get an elephant alone, they do attack. Elephants enjoy spending time in the water and sometimes baby elephants are attacked by crocodiles. Hyenas hover near a sick or injured elephant and eat it after it dies. According to Elephant-World, man is the biggest enemy of elephants. While there are laws against poaching elephants for their ivory tusks, the practice continues.