subject: Why are elephants in danger? [print this page] Why are elephants in danger? Why are elephants in danger?
Elephants are the largest land animals on earth with some weighing in excess of 6,000kg and standing up to 4 metres tall. Despite this the elephant is quite a fragile animal, which is susceptible to habitat changes.
The greatest threat to elephants is the destruction of their habitat and encroachment by an expanding human population. An elephant must consume huge amounts of food every day in order to survive, but as their habitat is destroyed, so to is their food making it harder to find and increasing competition between elephants. Ironically elephants are often used in India and several other countries to remove large trees and help clear forests.
Hunting and poaching are still major threats, despite new laws aimed at protecting elephants. Their Ivory tusks are highly prized by poachers who sell them in an effort to make money. They are then used to make ornaments and other decorative items.The tusks make up such a small part of these huge animals yet thousands of elephants have died at the hands of poachers.
As their habitat decreases elephants are pushed into smaller and smaller areas and this has lead to some devastating conflicts with humans. Due to their size they can and do kill humans, who then take revenge by killing the so called "rogue" elephant. As the human population expands it is likely that these conflicts are likely to increase unless action is taken.
Save The Elephant
The elephant is a threatened species meaning that it is reliant on conservation efforts to save it from extinction. Conservationists work tirelessly to research ways we can help, campaign for changes in laws and operate poaching patrols to protect vulnerable elephants. You can get involved in this vital work by adopting an elephant.
Adopt an elephant with the WWF and receive a fantastic gift pack in return. This will make a fabulous gift for a friend or loved one and also to elephants around the world. Your purchase helps provide vital equipment to poaching patrols, fund research so we can gain a deeper understanding of what the species needs us to do. There aren't many gifts that will bring a smile to someone's face and help save endangered wildlife but elephant adoption is one of those gifts.
