The African elephant is a very useful part of the nature. Just like the humans, they have a great impact on the environment. Many organisms in the wild depend on it. Elephants make pathways through the forest bush that are used by most of the creatures in the forest. They use the pathways for generations making them very permanent even for human use. Today most of these pathways have been converted into roads.
Elephants use their tasks to dig water from dry riverbeds during the dry season. This most of the time is the only source of water for many animals around the area. They therefore save many animals from the drought which can last for a few months. Forest elephants make clearings that allow sunlight to reach the ground thus ensuring the growth of the ground vegetation. Therefore, the smaller inhabitants of the forest are ensured of a good supply of food all the time.
Elephants and people have had a major crisis for a long time. In Africa, farmers who live near forests have had to contend with their crops being destroyed by the elephants. On the other hand, elephant's existence has been endangered by poachers who kill them for the tasks. They later sell the ivory to Asian countries. The trade has since been banned and it is a criminal offence to be caught handling the tasks. Some countries though have a major problem with the overpopulation of this big mammal. These are especially in the southern part of Africa.