Elephants

There are two main species of the elephant (Elephas maximus), which are commonly known as the African elephant and the Indian elephant. The African elephant is the largest living land creature and can weight up to eight tons and measure several meters in height. The Indian elephant is slightly smaller. Elephants are well known for their trunks and for their tusks, which are made of the highly prized substance ivory, making elephants a major target of poachers. The number of elephants in the wild has declined considerably as a result of encroachment onto their natural habitat and through poaching. There are estimated to be somewhere between 300,000–600,000 African elephants remaining in 37 different countries, and between 35,000–50,000 Asian elephants in 13 countries. Hundreds are known to die each year as the result of human action, either directly or indirectly. Some elephants aggressively respond to such human action, and may even suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. The area of ground that they have been able to inhabit has declined considerably, as many parts of the world have undergone climate change. Elephants were, for example, prevalent throughout much of China, but are now limited to the narrow strip of the Xishuangbanna on the borders of Laos and Burma (Myanmar), where less than 300 wild animals remain.

Elephants are related to a wide range of other mammalian creatures, including extinct tusked creatures, and those that have survived, such as the dugong. They live customarily in social groups of up to 100 or more, and recognize all members of the tribe. Family relationships are very strong. Large and powerful animals, elephants have an important role to play in shaping and preserving the environment in which they live. The roadways they create by regular movement through the forest enable light and smaller animals to reach areas that might otherwise be inaccessible. These roadways also act as [Page 557]conduits for seeds, some of which are fertilized by elephant dung, as well as being possible firebreaks or drainage channels. Loss of elephants, therefore, can affect a wide range of flora and fauna. However, many African villagers consider elephants to be large pests, since the passing of a herd through a village can cause its destruction. Elephants don't migrate very often, but may be forced to search for safe habitat and food. Elephants have been domesticated for approximately 4,000 years and have been used as beasts of burden, as a means of lifting heavy objects, and in warfare. Elephants are not aggressive, but permit troops to mount them, to shoot arrows, or wield melee weapons. Elephants continue to be taken from the wild for their labor in the contemporary world. Some, as in Thailand, are kept to perform for tourists and are often abused.