Elephants Matter: Protect, Preserve, Prosper.
Founded in Thailand and supported by conservation groups, “Save the Elephant Day” is observed on April 16 every year. Elephants have a crucial role in the ecosystem, yet their population has declined. Elephants are known as keystone species. They play a vital role in maintaining biodiversity and ensuring the health of natural ecosystems. Elephants are brilliant creatures, often compared to primates and dolphins regarding cognitive abilities. Elephants are among the longest-living land animals. Many cultures revere elephants. In India, the elephant-headed god Ganesha symbolises wisdom and good fortune. Elephants are a major driver of eco-tourism. The phrase “elephant in the room” is an idiom – it means a big, obvious issue everyone knows about but avoids discussing. Let us talk about the literal Elephant in the room – the one losing its home, facing danger, and needing our Help.
Without Urgent Action, Future Generations May Only See Elephants in History Books Rather than their Natural Environment.
Founded in Thailand and supported by conservation groups, “Save the Elephant Day” is observed on April 16 every year. Elephants have a crucial role in the ecosystem, yet their population has declined. African bush and Asian elephants are listed as endangered species, while African forest elephants are classified as critically endangered. Organisations like the World Wildlife Fund and Elephant Crisis Fund are relentlessly working to protect elephants and ensure their wellbeing.
Elephants are known as keystone species. They play a vital role in maintaining biodiversity and ensuring the health of natural ecosystems. They disperse seeds, create pathways for other animals, and contribute to the balance of forest and savanna ecosystems. Elephant populations, especially Asian elephants, have been declining rapidly. Many issues contribute to it: habitat loss, human-elephant conflict, poaching, and illegal trade.
Botswana has an estimated population of ~150,000 African elephants (nearly a third of all African elephants). With an estimated population of ~30,000, India has over 50% of the world’s wild Asian elephants. Most are in the states like Karnataka, Kerala, Assam, and Tamil Nadu.
Elephants are brilliant creatures, often compared to primates and dolphins regarding cognitive abilities. Elephants are among the longest-living land animals. African Elephants typically live 50-70 years in the wild, and Asian Elephants, ~ 48 years. They have shorter life spans in captivity.
Elephants are known for their exceptional long-term memory, especially regarding Navigation. Memory helps them survive in harsh environments. They recognise and remember other elephants, even after decades apart. Elephants have a highly developed hippocampus, the brain area linked to emotion and memory. Their brains weigh about 5 kg – the largest of any land animal.
Many cultures revere elephants. In India, the elephant-headed god Ganesha symbolises wisdom and good fortune. Elephants are a major driver of eco-tourism. Countries like Kenya, Botswana, and Sri Lanka rely on wildlife tourism for jobs and revenue.
Saving Elephants Means Saving Biodiversity, Protecting Local Livelihoods, and Standing Up
for a More Compassionate World.
Elephants face serious challenges today – many caused directly or indirectly by human activity. Climate shifts may force elephants to migrate farther, increasing conflict with humans. Infrastructure Development, like roads, railways, and fences, cuts across migration routes, leading to the loss of lives of many elephants.
Elephant meat is not a staple food anywhere, though it has been consumed in specific contexts. After elephants are killed for ivory, their meat may be sold or consumed (in parts of Central and West Africa).
Raising an elephant is expensive. It requires significant resources for food, medical care, and habitat maintenance. An elephant consumes around 300 kg of vegetation (mostly leaves) and requires 300 litres of water daily. Elephants are not just expensive to rear, but they also require dedicated care and ethical treatment.
The ivory trade is estimated to be more than ~$20 billion annually. Almost 55 elephants are being killed a day for fuelling this illegal trade. Human-elephant conflicts are a serious issue, especially in regions where elephant habitats overlap with human settlements.
The phrase “elephant in the room” is an idiom – it means a big, obvious issue everyone knows about but avoids discussing.
Let us Talk About the Literal Elephant in The Room
– The One Losing Its Home, Facing Danger, and Needing Our Help.
Toon: Reema
Log: M Sai Baba
ToonLogs
World Elephant Day, August 12: This is another day of observation highlighting the conservation of elephants. The ToonLog posted on the occasion can be accessed at: https://niascomm.in/2020/08/11/world-elephant-day/
