International Elephant Day – 12 Aug
Elephants are magnificent and gentle giant of the animal kingdom, much loved around the world for their intelligence, strength and charisma. Known for their strong sense of community and familial bonds, elephants live in close-knit herds, displaying incredible empathy and compassion towards their members. With its slow, deliberate movements and gentle demeanor, the elephant embodies a remarkable blend of power and gentleness, making it one of the most captivating and revered creatures on our planet.
Three living species of elephant are currently recognised:
- African (Savanna) Bush elephant – the largest elephant species, their tusks are more curved and point outward, their ears resemble the shape of the continent of Africa. They live in a wide range of different environments from the savannas to the deserts and can be found in Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Currently listed as Endangered.
- African Forest elephant – smaller than the African Bush elephant, their tusks are straighter and point down. Forest elephants live in the rainforest of Central & Western Africa. Currently listed as Critically Endangered
- Asian elephant – smaller than both types of African elephants, the head of the Asian elephant has a groove down the middle and their small ears that tend to be quite round, only male Asian elephants can grow tusks. Currently listed as Endangered
There are 4 Asian Elephant subspecies;- Indian elephant
- Sri Lankan elephant
- Sumatran elephant and
- Borneo elephant
Elephant Wildlife Fun Facts
1. International Elephant Day – 12 August
2. The world’s largest mammal
3. The word “elephant” comes from the Greek word “elephas” which means “ivory”
4. Elephant’s very large ears are used to radiate excess heat away from the body
5. Elephants are afraid of bees not mice
6. Elephants use their trunks as snorkels when they swim
7. Elephant’s gestation period is 18 to 22 months
8. An elephant’s eyelashes can be up to thirteen cm long
9. Mud baths protect elephants from the sun and clean their skins of bugs and ticks
10. Elephants can’t jump
Elephant Books to Read
The Elephant Whisperer – My Life with the Herd in the African Wild:
Lawrence Anthony and Graham Spence
‘Lawrence Anthony devoted his life to animal conservation, protecting the world’s endangered species. Then he was asked to accept a herd of “rogue” wild elephants on his Thula Thula game reserve in Zululand. His common sense told him to refuse, but he was the herd’s last chance of survival: they would be killed if he wouldn’t take them.
In order to save their lives, Anthony took them in. In the years that followed he became a part of their family. And as he battled to create a bond with the elephants, he came to realize that they had a great deal to teach him about life, loyalty, …‘
The Eye of the Elephant – An Epic Adventure in the African Wilderness:
Mark Owens & Delia Owens
‘The Eye of the Elephant recounts the Owens’ struggle to save these innocent animals from decimation, a journey not only to supply the natives with ways of supporting their villages, but also to cultivate support around the globe for the protection of elephants. Filled with daring exploits among disgruntled hunters, arduous labour on the African plains, and vivid depictions of various wildlife, this remarkable tale is at once an adventure story, a travelogue, a preservationist call to action, and a fascinating examination of both human and animal nature.‘
Love, Life and Elephants – An African Love Story:
Daphne Sheldrick
‘The first person to successfully raise newborn elephants, Dame Daphne Sheldrick has saved countless African animals from certain death. In this indelible and deeply heartfelt memoir, Daphne tells of her remarkable career as a conservationist and introduces us to a whole host of orphans—including Bushy, a liquid-eyed antelope, and the majestic elephant Eleanor. Yet she also shares the incredible human story of…‘
If you visit Kenya be sure to check out the Nairobi Elephant Orphanage and see for yourself the good that is being done for orphan elephants. Email me if you would like more information.
