Elephants Should be Protected

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The official title of the world’s largest land dwelling animal belongs to the elephant, more specifically, the African elephant. Elephants are some of the most deadly animals, which increases the danger of human and elephant interactions. Increased human and elephant interactions lead to increased deaths of both humans and elephants. Surprisingly, these animals are socially apt. The trunk is used for more than just eating and drinking; it is used for socializing. They are complex animals who live in large familial herds. Females stay with their family throughout their entire lives while males only stay for approximately fifteen years (Elephant Protection 1). Elephants possess a great memory and only forget what they learn occasionally and rarely, giving way to the “an elephant never forgets” saying (Maloiy 178c). Because of the shortened life span and increased mortality rates, elephants may not be around much longer. Due to their incisor teeth, tusks, being extremely expensive and profitable, they are being murdered for the wealth they carry. This, coupled with the life span shortening because of malicious treatments and brutal practices, reduces the life span of the African elephant from fifty-six to sixteen years and the Asian elephant from forty-two to nineteen years (Elephant Protection 1). According to what the statistics show, elephants may be following their ancestors to their death. Of the group of mammals called proboscideans that once consisted of 350 species, elephants are the only survivors. Wildlife experts classify elephants as endangered, which means the animals require human protection in order to survive. Because elephant populations drastically declined over the last few years and they are listed as endangered, ...

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