World Elephants Day was
conceived in 2011 by Canadian filmmakers Patricia Sims and Michael Clark of
Canazwest Pictures, and Sivaporn Dardarananda, Secretary-General of the Elephant
Reintroduction Foundation in Thailand, it was officially founded, supported
and launched by Patricia Sims and the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation on
August 12, 2012. The aim was to create awareness of the urgent plight of African and Asian elephants,
and to share knowledge and positive solutions for the better care and
management of captive and wild elephants. African elephants are listed as
"Vulnerable" and Asian elephants as "Endangered"
Facts about Elephants
- Elephant is the land mammal with the longest gestation period of about 22 months. Body weight ranges from 2,268 to 6,350 kilograms
- Elephants only give birth to one offspring at a time, and takes 22 months (1 year and 10 months) from the time of pregnancy for an elephant to give birth.
- During courtship, a male and a female elephant will rub their bodies on each other and even wrap trunks. The females tend to run away from the males and he will have to pursue her. This game of cat and mouse can continue for a long time before actual mating occurs.
- Males go through periods of “musth,” a natural state where
young males are flooded with reproductive hormones. This urge to mate go into
overdrive and result in their being aggressive.
The periods of musth are necessary for natural herd dynamics and successful
breeding.
- Male elephants fan their ears more when they are ready to mate than at other times. This allows them to get their scent out there at a wider distance to attract potential mates.
- The female elephants are ready to breed when they are about 14 years of age.
- They communicate through vibrations
- They never forget. The temporal lobe is larger & danser than and keeps memory for years
- This specie play a major role in plants germination. It enhance the germination of plants that needs passing through the digestive system before germinating.
- These beautiful animals are still in danger. They reproduce slowly, and are still hunted and poached. We will do everything we can to protect the land giants (ECoDAs).
- Sadly, local extinction is happening around the world, and it is having dire consequences on Ecosystems and species like elephants.
Please
Take actions
- Do not buy ivory or other wildlife products. Be an elephant aware consumer.
- Study elephants in their “keystone” role in the environment and interrelationships with plants and other animals because all of nature is interconnected.
- Visit elephants in countries where they live in the wild – tourism benefits the economy, provides needed jobs, deters poachers and abuse, and gives you the opportunity to experience the beauty, intelligence, and emotional capacity of these magnificent giants.
- If you wish to experience elephants in their natural environment, choose eco-tourism operators who support local elephant conservation projects and who treat elephants with respect and dignity.
- Support healthy, alternative, sustainable livelihoods for people who have traditionally relied on elephants, wild animals and natural resources. Learn about indigenous cultures that have traditionally lived in harmony with elephants.
- Be aware of elephant habitat. Do not buy coffee that is not fair-trade or shade-grown, nor products with palm-oil. These commercial crops are grown in plantations that have decimated elephant habitats. Only buy wood products that have been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, which promotes responsible management of the world’s forests – the natural habitat for elephants and other wildlife.
- Talk about elephants at your school. Initiate an elephant study group to share knowledge and ideas about the plight of elephants and what can be done to ensure their survival into the future.
- What do you love about elephants? Their intelligence, empathy and caring for one another are just a few of their qualities. Embrace these qualities and live them in your own life.
About the Author: Kaior Alu
James is an environmentalist and a herpetologist.
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