The approach to the “village of elephants” in the Sangha Rainforest in the Central African Republic must be made in complete silence. Not even the faintest rustle of backpack on rain jacket should break the soundscape as visitors wade through the sometimes waist-deep swamp at the forest’s edge. The Indigenous Ba’aka guides must be able […]
Tag: Asian Elephant
Asian elephants’ picky diet helps shape their forest home, study shows
Asian elephants have long been described as forest “cleaners” by the Orang Asli people of Peninsular Malaysia who have lived alongside the giant mammals for tens of thousands of years. A new study looking closely at the foraging behavior of free-roaming elephants backs up this ancestral understanding, demonstrating that through their feeding habits, Asian elephants […]
Bangladesh captive elephant death by train highlights need for conservation
On May 17, an elephant was killed after a train hit it in the capital Dhaka’s Uttara area. The incident took place in the Court Bari area while two captive elephants, guided by their mahout, were crossing the railroad tracks. Immediately after the incident, the mahout fled the spot, and nobody took responsibility for the […]
One elephant a day: Sri Lanka wildlife conflict deepens as death toll rises
COLOMBO — On average one elephant has died each day in Sri Lanka in the first three months of this year, with nearly half of those deaths due to human causes. This escalation of the perennial problem of human-elephant conflict on the island has prompted calls for urgent solutions to save this endangered and iconic […]
Nearly Two-Thirds of Elephant Habitat Across Asia Has Been Lost, New Study Finds
Asian elephants have lost almost two-thirds of their natural habitat due to centuries of deforestation and the growing human demand for agricultural and infrastructural land. As a result, these endangered giants, native to 13 countries across Asia, have experienced a loss of over 64 percent of their forest and grassland habitats since 1700. A recent […]
Heartbroken San Diego Zoo staff are forced to euthanize ‘gentle’ 59-year-old Asian elephant Mary
Heartbroken San Diego zoo staff euthanized an Asian elephant after age-related joint deficiencies began affecting her quality of life. The 59-year-old geriatric elephant, named Mary, was put down compassionately after the decision to do so was made by her health and care specialists following a ‘decline’ in her mobility. The ‘uniquely dominant’ but ‘gentle’ pachyderm, […]
Ailing Pakistan elephant dies, leaving ‘mourning’ partner in limbo
An ailing elephant at a Pakistan zoo died on Saturday, vets said, calling on the ill-equipped menagerie to evacuate her “mourning” partner to avert a second tragedy. Pakistan’s zoos are frequently accused of being blase about animal welfare, and the plight of Noor Jehan was cited by animal rights activists campaigning to shut the wildlife […]
Incredible story of Kavaan the world’s loneliest elephant, who was forced to live in solitude for eight years when his partner died…until he was saved by Cher and learned to believe in life after love!
Pointed bull hooks lunged into Kaavan’s side. Crowds had lined the fence of his enclosure to see Pakistan’s only Asian elephant and the sharp jab had meant that he was being told to perform for them. A hand clasping money was raised in the air and the spectator was willing to exchange it with the […]