SAVE THE ELEPHANTS
The African elephant serves the most important role in the African grassland biome, landscaping the vast savannah. Not only do they control their ecosystem, these 1,000-pound creatures also increase tourism, helping out the surrounding African towns and businesses.
SAVE THE ELEPHANTS
The African elephant serves the most important role in the African grassland biome, landscaping the vast savannah. Not only do they control their ecosystem, these 1,000-pound creatures also increase tourism, helping out the surrounding African towns and businesses.
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Written By Anjali Reddy - Grade 10
Elephants
Everyone might know what elephants are, but not everyone knows the importance of them. Elephants are one of the smartest mammal found in the wild and the mighty role of regulating the African savannah rests on their shoulders. As herds of elephants migrate across the savannah they feed on trees, breaking them up, often by pulling them up by the roots and crushing them. Without this tree clearing, the savannah would quickly grow from grassland to woodland. Their long trunks also allow them to pick fruit from the top of trees, which then becomes deposited in the soil, adding need nutrients to the dry soil and preventing the fertile grasslands from turning into a desert. Elephants are another example of environmental engineers, as they are responsible for landscaping the mighty African plains.
Elephants have the skill of finding water, even during times of drought. This skill helps provide other animals who follow the path of the elephants, with water. The outcome of this can be seen in the composite photograph to the left.
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As herbivores, elephants consume tons of plants and leaves. Once the digestion process is complete, elephants deposit dung which contains seeds that are then sown. These seeds grow into new grasses, bushes, and trees, boosting the health of the savannah ecosystem. Elephants' dung not only helps out plants but for animals and humans as well. Insects such as the Dung Beetle, use the droppings of elephants as a food source. Farmers use the nutrient-rich waste as a fertilizer for their plants, which then allows the farmer to harvest a healthier yield.
The gentle giants often leave us in awe, yet what are we doing to save them. It was estimated that in 1930, 5,000,000 African elephants were roamed in the wild, but because of poaching and habitat loss that number quickly decreased to a measly 450,000 elephants in 2012. The illegal trade of ivory has caused poaching to increase, dwindling the population, and as humans continue to expand their land, the steal the habitat of the elephants. Luckily, as conservation efforts strengthen and awareness is spread, the African elephant population has been steadily rising. Guards, rangers, volunteers, and veterinarians are working on the front lines to fight against the attack on elephants. Most current statistics show that as of 2018, 600,000 African elephants remain in the wild. You might be thinking, "well, what can I do to help?" The answer is simple. Avoid purchasing items made out of ivory, make donations to organizations that are dedicated to protecting the elephants, and remember to spread the news about elephants. We don't want to see these beautiful animals disappear from the earth, or let precious ecosystems wither. It is our job to save the elephants!
