ElephantsAn Endangered Species

By Matthew Cutler

Contents

• Where elephants live page 3• It’s habitat and feeding habits page 4• Is it in danger of extinction page 5• Why are they endangered page 6• What is being done to save them page 7

Where elephants live

There are two different species of elephants. The African (Loxodonta Africana) and the Asian variety (Elephas maximus). They live in Africa and Asia. They used to be spread out across a much bigger area, but now they are only in small areas. They mostly live in forests, which are being cut down and now lots of Elephants live in nature parks.

Africa

It’s habitat and feeding habits

Elephants eat a huge quantity of food. They spend up to 16 hours eating per day, and eat about 495 pounds of food per day. However, they only digest 40% of what they eat. Elephants are herbivores, and usually eat leaves, bark, and the fruits of trees and shrubs. Elephants live in forests, but because so many forests are being cut down they are losing their habitat.

Are they in danger of extinction?

In the last 60 years, the number of elephants has halved and if this continues without action then elephants wil be in danger. The African species numbers are estimated at approximately 500,000 whilst the Asian variety has fallen to as low as 30,000.

Why are they endangered? For hundreds of years

elephants have been killed for their ivory, (known as white gold), to make ornaments. Ivory is very expensive and people can make lots of money from it. Sometimes, people force elephants to work for them, and they cut off their tusks while the Elephant is alive! Even today, ivory is still legal! While this is the case elephants will still be hunted.

What is being done to save them?

Today, people are trying to ban selling ivory, because they think it is cruel, and also a waste of an animal’s life. Also people are trying to save the forest from being cut down, because people want to protect the habitats of endangered animals. Today, people can sponsor elephants and their money goes to organisations, who work to protect them.

Interesting facts

• Despite their giant ears, they have very poor hearing.• A fully grown adult reaches the height of 10 - 13 feet.• Adult African elephants weigh about 15,400 pounds.• Adult Indian elephants weigh about 11,000 pounds • Elephants have the largest brain in the animal kingdom.• Elephants can live up to 70 years old.• Elephants are able to swim for long distances.• Elephants normally walk about 4mph.• Elephants are the largest of all land mammals.• Elephant’s eyes are small and their eye sight is poor.