Protect Elephants
From 12 million to 400 thousand in 100 years. Elephants are disappearing.
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Weighing as the huge T-Rex, the Elephant is the largest land animal.
Who has seen an Elephant up close? It's really big. In fact – it is the largest land animal! The heaviest known specimen weighed 22 928 lbs. Unfortunately, the Elephant has something that poachers want, and as a result, one elephant dies every 15 minutes for its ivory.
The Elephant is the collective name for two genera of proboscideans. Loxodonta, who live in Africa, and Elephas, who live in Asia. We currently know three living species (we will look at them in detail below). A very close relative of the Elephant was the now extinct mammoth (Mammuthus). Today, surprisingly, the closest relatives of the Elephant are Hyraxes – small mammals approx. the size of a cat.
Comparison of the size of elephant and man. Source: viaGood
Elephants spend their entire lives in tightly closed family groups. These comprise more than 10 members. The herd is headed by a matriarch – most often the oldest female. She remains in the leading position of the herd until her death or as long as she has the energy for this role. If the family group is already too large compared to the available resources, it can split into two smaller groups. In any case, elephants are not limited to their family group only. They can form bond groups, where there are typically two family groups. During periods of drought, elephants can form another level of social organization, known as a clan. Groups do not form strong ties in these clans, but together defend their territory from other clans. There are usually 9 groups in a clan.
Herd of elephants. Source: Pixabay
Elephant communication is complex and takes place on several levels – sight, touch, smell and voice. Their eyesight is similar to that of color-blind people, having what is called dichromatic vision. They see better in dim light, but not in bright light. They have an impressive range of visual postures, consisting of various combinations of head, ears, eyes, trunk, tail, body and leg positions. In the social context, these attitudes are used during an attack, retreat, and probably during a greeting. On the other hand, touch is very well developed and elephants use it when communicating in social groups, to show comfort, affection, as well as aggression and play.
Elephant family in Amboseli National Park, Kenya. Source: Wikipedia
The elephant trunk is extremely sensitive and the tissue of the trunk tip is very rich in Vater-Pacini corpuscles (specialized bodies responding to pressure and vibration), which play a major role in tactile communication. The sense of smell in an elephant is at a higher level than, for example, the sense of smell in a dog. Elephants have the ability to smell water at a distance of several miles. The voice of elephants is below 30 Hz - infrasound. These extremely low fundamental frequencies are heard over a very long distance. In addition, elephants communicate seismically. They can receive these signals in two ways. The first way is through the bones. The elephant, standing on the tip of the foot, transmits seismic vibrations from the bones of the foot to the inner ear. The second way is to receive the signal through the soft foot, which contains a layer rich in Vater-Pacini corpuscles.
Did you know… the weight of the heaviest elephant matches the weight of the huge Tyrannosaurus rex?
African Bush Elephant, Kruger National Park, South Africa. Source: Wikipedia
African Bush Elephant The representative of the first genus is the African Bush Elephant (Loxodonta africana). It is also known as the African Savanna Elephant and is the largest land animal. Males reach a height of up to 13 ft and a weight of up to 22 900 lb., which roughly corresponds to the highest estimates for the giant Tyrannosaurus Rex. It is found in 37 African countries and inhabits forests, pastures and forests, wetlands and agricultural land. Since 2021, it has been on the IUCN Red List** as endangered**.
Distribution of the African Elephant, showing a highlighted range (in green), with many fragmented patches scattered across the continent South of the Sahara Desert. Source: viaGood
The African Bush Elephant can be recognized by the following features:
- it usually has a gray skin that looks brown or red after playing in colored mud
- large ears that serve to cool the body
- concave back
- wrinkled skin
- oblique abdomen
- two fingers similar to the extension on the tip of the trunk, allowing the elephant to grasp and transfer food to its mouth
- both males and females have large tusks about 10 ft. long. The longest known African Elephant tusk measured 11.5 ft and weighed 258 l
- the molars are diamond-shaped.
- this is considered as the largest type of elephant, where males usually reach a height of 10 ft. and a weight of about 13 000 lb. Females are usually 8 ft tall and weigh approx. 6 000 lb
African Forest Elephants in a waterhole. Source: Wikipedia
African Forest Elephant The second, still surviving African Elephant is the African Forest Elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis). Its home are the wet forests in West Africa and the Congo Basin. Unlike its African relative, it is the smallest of the three living species of elephants and reaches a height of about 7 ft 10 in. In the 20th century, their numbers dropped to 30 000 individuals (in 2013) and this is still declining. Since 2020, it is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Distribution map of African Forest Elephant. Source: viaGood
**The African Forest Elephant **is distinguished by the following features:
- normally a gray skin that looks brown or red after playing in colored mud
- concave back
- more wrinkled skin
- oblique abdomen
- two fingers similar to the extension on the tip of the trunk, allowing the elephant to grasp and deliver food to its mouth
- ears are slightly smaller and rounder than those of the Bush Elephant
- both males and females have tusks that are yellow or brownish, parallel and pointing downwards. These shape adaptations allow the Forest Elephant to move smoothly in dense vegetation. The ivory of these elephants is hard and has a pinkish tinge. Tusks can grow up to 5 ft in length and can weigh 50-100 lb
- molars are diamond-shaped
- female elephants are 7 ft tall and weigh approximately 4 400 lbs. Males are approximately 20 % taller than females
Asian elephant walking in Tad Lo river, Salavan Province, Laos. Source: Wikipedia
Asian Elephant There is only one living representative of octopuses in Asia, and that is the Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus), also known as the Asiatic Elephant. It is also the largest terrestrial animal in Asia. It is found all over the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia - from India in the west, Nepal in the north, Sumatra in the south and Borneo in the east. They reach a height of 9 ft and a weight of 4.4 tons - females are slightly smaller. During the 20th century, the population decreased by at least 50 % (in 2019, the wild population was estimated at 48 323 - 51 680 individuals). Since 2021, it has been on the IUCN Red List** as endangered**.
Historical territory of Asian Elephants (orange) and current range (red). Source: viaGood
The Asian Elephant is recognizable according to the following features:
- normally gray to brown skin with patches of depigmentation on the forehead, ears and areas around them. They also have brownish or reddish hair on their head or back
- smaller ears than their African relatives
- a little hump on the back
- smoother skin
- horizontal abdomen that bends in the middle
- only one "finger" on the tip of the trunk. This means that it relies more on wrapping food and squeezing it into its mouth
- bumps on the head and spots of depigmentation on the skin
- half of the female Indian Elephants have no tusks at all; some males are also tuskless, with only stunted remnants of tusks The Asian Elephant comprises three subspecies:
After a swim Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka, India. Source: Wikipedia
**Indian Elephant **( Elephas maximus indicus) has its home in mainland Asia - India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, Laos, China, Cambodia and Vietnam. It is already extinct in Pakistan. The Indian Elephant is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Srilankan tusk elephant. Source: Wikipedia
Sri Lankan Elephant ( Elephas maximus maximus) lives in arid zones in the north, east and south-east of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is estimated to have the highest density of elephants in Asia. Listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List.
A Sumatran Elephant baby with its mother, Tesso Nilo National Park. Source: Wikipedia
Sumatran Elephant ( Elephas maximus sumatranus) lives on the island of Sumatra, where the population has declined by at least 80 % over the last three generations. As a result, it is listed as critically endangered in the 2011 IUCN Red List. Elephant Trunk The Elephant trunk is so unique that it deserves separate mention. It is a combination of a nose and upper lip, although in the fetal phase, the upper lip and trunk are separated. It reaches a length of up to 7 ft., is bone-free and fat-free, and contains up to 150 000 separate muscle bundles. It is a multifunctional instrument with functions such as breathing, smelling, touching, gripping and sound creation.
The elephant is capable of lifting up to 770 lb. with its trunk, but can also use it for finer tasks, such as wiping the eye or cracking a peanut shell without breaking the nut. The elephant can reach objects with its trunk at heights of up to 23 ft and dig water under mud or sand with the trunk. Elephants may show lateral preferences when gripping with the trunk - some prefer twisting to the left, others to the right. They can suck in water for both drinking and spraying on to their bodies. The adult Asian Elephant is able to hold 2.5 gallons of water in its trunk. When underwater, the elephant uses its trunk as a snorkel.
The African Elephant has two finger-like protrusions on the tip of its trunk that allow it to grab and bring food into its mouth. The Asian Elephant has only one and relies more on wrapping the food with its trunk and squeezing it into its mouth. Asian Elephants have better muscle coordination in their trunk and can perform more complex tasks.
An Asian elephant drinking water with its trunk, Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Source: Wikipedia
Intelligence of Elephants Most contemporary ethologists consider the Elephant to be one of the most intelligent animals in the world. Weighing over 11 lb., the brain of an elephant weighs more than the brain of any other terrestrial animal. In addition, elephants have approximately 257 billion neurons (approximately one-third the number of neurons of the human brain).
Elephants exhibit a wide range of behaviors, including behaviors associated with grief, learning, mimicry, play, altruism, use of instruments, compassion, cooperation, self-awareness (like some monkeys or dolphins, elephants can recognize their image in a mirror), memory and communication. Furthermore, evidence suggests that elephants may understand pointing, that is, the ability to communicate non-verbally about an object by stretching out a finger or performing similar gestures.
Did you know… Aristotle described the Elephant as "an animal that surpasses all others in wit and mind."
Elephant Symbols & Expressions The elephant is considered as a symbol of happiness almost all over the world. Portraits of the elephant are depicted in paintings, statues, amulets, jewelry and decorative objects. Elephants have their place in children’s bedrooms in the form of plush toys, on refrigerators as magnets and in the bedroom as statuettes to ensure fertility.
The term "pink Elephant" is used for things that do not have logic, are absurd and meaningless.
A “white Elephant” is an expression for a possession that is useless or troublesome, especially one that is expensive to maintain or difficult to dispose of.
Debunking Myths... In fables and cartoons, we see how the elephant is afraid of a tiny mouse. But is that really the case? Not really - at least not significantly more than anyone would be afraid of something unknown and unexpected. But what the elephant is really afraid of are bees! African bees are very aggressive. They form swarms of thousands of bees that attack any animal that gets too close to their hives. They can deliver thousands of stings to their victims in a matter of seconds. Over the millennia, elephants seem to have learned to avoid trees with beehives.
Due to demand for ivory, poachers kill one Elephant every 15 minutes.
The Elephant population in Africa has fallen from an estimated 12 million a hundred years ago to about 400 000. Recently, at least 20 000 Elephants in Africa have been killed for their tusks each year. The African Forest Elephants are the worst off. Their population decreased by 62 % between 2002 and 2011 and they lost 30 % of their geographical range. The African Bush Elephant decreased by 30 % between 2007 and 2014. This dramatic decline continued and even accelerated in some countries between 2011 and 2015, with cumulative losses of up to 90 %.
The population of the Asian Elephant at the beginning of the 20th century numbered more than 100 000 individuals, who wandered from the Persian Gulf to India and China. However, their number has fallen by at least 50 % in the last three generations. A large part of the world's human population now lives in or near the Asian Elephant habitat, which has shrunk to just 10-15 % of their historical range.
Steve Oberholtzer, USFWS assembling ivory tusks on a tower for display before crushing. Source: Wikipedia
Poaching and Illegal Ivory Trade A ban on the international ivory trade was introduced in 1989 by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) after years of unprecedented poaching. In the 1980s, an estimated 100 000 elephants were killed each year, and in some regions up to 80 % of herds were lost. If we take into account births, these losses cause a decline in wild African Elephants in the order of 2-3 % per year.
Despite the ban on the international ivory trade, tens of thousands of elephants are killed each year for their ivory tusks. Ivory is often used for carved ornaments and jewelry. China is the largest consumer market for these products.
Habitat Loss, Degradation and Fragmentation Most elephant habitats are located outside protected areas. The rapid growth of the human population, the development of the infrastructure, the expansion of agriculture into pastures and forests, which were previously considered unsuitable for agriculture, mean that elephant habitats continue to be lost.
Conflicts between Elephants and Humans As human populations expand, more land becomes agricultural, and elephant habitats shrink. They are becoming more fragmented and humans and elephants are increasingly coming into contact and conflict.
Elephants sometimes raid farmers' fields and damage their crops. This has an impact on farmers' livelihoods. Elephants can even kill people during such attacks. In retaliation, people kill elephants.
As human populations continue to grow, habitat loss and degradation (and conflict with communities) will continue to be a major threat to the survival of all elephants.
Anti-poaching patrols and better laws can save many elephant lives.
To save elephants, it is essential to create new protected areas and to improve the management of existing reserves. What else can be done?
Stop Poaching To stop poaching, it is necessary to increase the protection of elephants. For this purpose, patrols of rangers operate. They actively monitor elephants on the ground and move around their herds. Some units rely on military tactics, others use modern technology in the form of drones, mainly to monitor larger areas, even at night. It is essential to provide these teams with adequate equipment and training.
Restrict Illegal Trade To limit illegal trade, it is necessary to monitor trends in the ivory products’ business. It is necessary to actively involve national governments to enforce legislation in their territories, as well as to work closely with the WWF and TRAFFIC initiatives.
Support Ecotourism Some countries are betting on tourism to protect the elephants. Such tourism is focused on the observation of wildlife in their natural environment. Locals can earn much more money than they would by illegally poaching and selling ivory.
Mitigating Conflicts between Humans and Elephants Local communities need to be taught how to use effective tools and methods to reduce the damage caused by elephants. A great example is the use of the so-called "bee fence", which protects crops from elephants. This takes advantage of the elephants' natural fear of bees, while giving communities the opportunity to make more money by selling the honey. Fewer conflicts equal fewer elephants killed unnecessarily.
Support the Monitoring of Elephants Monitoring and collecting data on the movement of elephants are important parts of their protection. In the long run, it helps to build knowledge about the behavior of elephants in the wild. This information is key to preserving their habitats and elephant corridors, and by connecting areas used by elephants with other wild animals.
**Dissemination of Information ** Many people do not realize how and why the elephant population is declining. Educating your friends and family about why we need to save elephants is an important step. Raising awareness about elephant rescue can be as easy as sharing a post on social media.
Everyone can get involved
Do not Buy Ivory And don't sell it or wear it! Ivory is traditionally used to make jewelry, billiard balls, piano keys and carved ornaments. The only legal ivory is the antique one. If you avoid it as well, it will be a clear message to the sellers that the material is not welcome. It will be an easy way to show your solidarity with the elephants.
Buy Elephant-friendly Coffee and Oil Coffee or oil palms are often grown on plantations that destroy elephant habitats. Make sure you buy Fair Trade Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified coffee.
Consider the Situation of Elephants in Captivity Historically, zoos and circuses offer a life of slavery to elephants. Fortunately, the zoo industry is starting to wake up and creating for elephants an environment more favorable to their lives. But the road to change is long and this is doubly true of circuses.
Boycott circuses and zoos that do not offer enough space for the dignified life of elephants.
Support Conservation Efforts Choose one of the organizations that fight on the front line to preserve elephants in their natural habitat.
Raise Awareness Raising awareness about elephant rescue can be as easy as sharing a post on social media.
