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Status: Endangered
Population: Around 415,000
Habitat: Savannas in Africa and rainforests of Central and West Africa
Description: Elephants are the world's largest land animal, with males weighing up to 6 tonnes. They have tough gray skin and sharp tusks. They are social and intelligent animals, living in groups called herds. Elephants need lots of space, and they can travel over very large areas in search of water and food.
A very big threat to elephants is poaching. Elephants are killed for their ivory tusks which poachers sell on the black market.
Another threat to elephants is habitat loss . Humans are expanding human settlements, cutting down the elephants' habitat. Since they have no where to go, elephants usually feed on crops, which causes them to be shot and killed.
Elephants are important because they can create passages for other animals. They can also create homes for other animals! An elephant footprint can be a home for a tadpole and other animals. They also help with seed dispersal, as they travel long distances every day, and help trees and plants to grow.
You can help elephants by not buying ivory products and by buying eco-friendly palm oil. When rainforests are cut down, they are replaced by rows of palm trees, which is nothing compared to the richness and diversity of a rainforest. You can also donate money to charity and spread the word that elephants are in danger.