Elephant poaching is out of control . Here are some reasons to care.
Satao was one of the oldest elephants in the world, until he was killed by poachers last weekend.
Richard Moller / Tsavo Trust
1. African elephants are the largest land mammals on the planet.
2. One of the largest known elephants was Jumbo, whose name is thought to be derived from the Swahili word for 'boss' or 'chief.' He is the reason we now use the word 'jumbo' to mean 'huge.'
3. Elephant brains weigh 5 kg, much more than the brain of any other land animal.
4. Their brains have more complex folds than all animals except whales, which is thought to be a major factor in making them some of the most intelligent animals on Earth.
5. Elephants have a more developed hippocampus, a brain region responsible for emotion and spatial awareness, than any other animal.
6. Studies indicate that they are superior to humans in keeping track of multiple objects in 3D space.
7. Elephants commonly show grief, humor, compassion, cooperation, self-awareness, tool use, playfulness, and excellent learning abilities.
8. An elephant in Korea surprised its zoo keepers by independently learning to mimic the commands they gave it, successfully learning eight words and their context.
9. There are many reports of elephants showing altruism toward other species, such as rescuing trapped dogs at considerable cost to themselves.
10. No matter what the movies taught you, elephants don't like peanuts.
Elephants grazing in Kruger National Park, South Africa.
Ian Walton / Getty Images
11. Elephants herds are matriarchal.
12. Female elephants live in groups of about 15 animals, all related and led by the oldest in the group. She'll decide where and when they move and rest, day to day and season to season.
13. An elephant herd is considered one of the most closely knit societies of any animal, and a female will only leave it if she dies or is captured by humans.
14. Bull elephants court females by using rituals involving various affectionate gestures and nuzzles.
15. Female African elephants undergo the longest pregnancy — 22 months.
16. Elephants have been known to induce labour by self-medicating with certain plants.
17. Elephant calfs weighs more than 100 kg at birth.
18. Baby elephants are initially blind and some take to sucking their trunk for comfort in the same way that humans suck their thumbs.
19. Mothers will select several babysitters to care for the calf so that she has time to eat enough to produce sufficient milk for it.
20. Males will leave the herd as they become adolescent, around the age of 12, and live in temporary "bachelor herds" until they are mature enough to live alone.
21. Male elephants are normally solitary and move from herd to herd.
22. Homosexual behavior in elephants is common and well-documented.
