Big, Brilliant And Endangered

When one thinks of elephants, the first word that probably comes to mind is BIG! But elephants, while they may be the largest creatures on land, are not just big and powerful, they’re wise and sensitive as well. Recent scientific studies have established that they are among the most intelligent animals in the world.

- Shaleen Attre

 They make and modify tools, are great collaborative problem solvers, and form deep, complex social bonds.They show ‘human’ emotions like happiness, anger, sadness and grief; they remember long-lost relatives, celebrate when a new member is born into the family and mourn the death of a loved one.

GIANTS ON THE MOVE

Elephant families are known as herds. The head of the family is the oldest, strongest female, called the matriarch. Herds can vary in size and generally have female elephants of different ages, as well as young males. Adult males normally don’t stay with the herd; they start living separate lives when they reach adolescence, typically only joining a herd when it’s time to mate.