Animal of the Week (Week #9): Asian Elephants

 Hi, and welcome back! 

I was looking through the list of "Animal of the Weeks" recently and I was surprised to find that there wasn't one on elephants yet! And though I did do many posts on elephants before (including this year's and last year's World Elephant day posts), here's a post on one of the top endangered animals today: the Asian Elephant.

Let's jump right in!

This animal of the week is structured a bit differently - instead of five facts on these amazing creatures, I thought I would answer five questions about them. As you will learn later on in this article, disseminating and answering questions about Asian elephants are one of the most important ways to create change!

1. Where do they live?

The Asian elephant lives in regions of India and throughout Southeast Asia. According to the World Wildlife Fund in this article, “They inhabit dry to wet forest and grassland habitats in 13 range countries spanning South and Southeast Asia." 

2. What is their ecological niche (their role in their environment)? 

It has a large role in its environment, dispersing seeds and clearing paths with their dense body structure in the grasses for more organisms to travel, which also helps to stop the spread of fires. These elephants also excavate holes in dry riverbeds to get water for other species, as said by this Animalia article. 

All other organisms are thus widely dependent on it. WWF even stated, "A future for Asian elephants ensures a future for other species and wild spaces".

3. Why are they endangered, and why should we care?

With all of these amazing qualities, it may come to surprise that over the past 75 years, the population has declined by fifty percent according to National Geographic. They are threatened not only due to their characteristic ivory tusks which make them susceptible to poaching but also things like habitat loss from deforestation and agricultural development and conflicts with humans. 

It is extremely important to save this species! Asian elephants play large roles in their habitat and it is very much possible that with the extinction of this species comes the extinction and collapse of its environment. It is also a positive influence on the growth of species around it, including both plants and animals. 

4. What is being done currently to help?

Organizations like WWF are currently attempting to help Asian elephants. It is working towards removing electrical fencing, creating 12 protected areas for them, reducing human and elephant conflicts for space, and more. Though these efforts have been successful and are ongoing, they may not be enough. 

Their commercial trade is also prohibited by the CITES treaty and the Endangered Species Act.

5. What can I do to help?

Raising awareness for these international laws and acts, and disseminating knowledge about these elephants can help get the word around. Donating to funds like WWF will help these populations thrive as well.

We must contribute to the causes of the Asian elephant and help spread awareness before it is too late! Leave any questions below, and make sure to spread awareness for this cause.

That's it for this post! Stay tuned, and S.P.A.T.!

- The Bookish Elephant