Blog post 4- Why are elephants so important to wildlife and our earth?

Welcome to my blog post 4, today I will be addressing why elephants are so important to wildlife and our earth. Last post I addressed why certain species of elephants are going extinct and my next post I will be talking about how we can help them (my final question).

Elephants are the largest land animals on earth, they’re smart creatures that many love but they also play a crucial role in our environnement and society (1). These creatures create a significant impact on their surrounding environnement, and many call them ecosystem engineers (2). This topic can be divided into 2 major categories Ecological Importance and Cultural Significance (1). Many different factors contribute to the categories and I will be talking about each one (1). First, I will be talking about their Ecological importance.

The elephants ecological impact is significant. Elephants consume large quantities of fruits and seeds (2). This transports the seeds over long distances and depositing them in the elephants dung. (2) This acts as vital seed dispersers for many plant species (2). This is important because it maintains plant diversity (2). Their dung is a natural fertilizer for soil that promotes plant growth creating better agriculture as well a better environnement overall (1). During dry seasons and droughts, elephants use their tusks to dig for water (3). The average elephant drinks 26 gallons of water per day (4). This allows for humans to find the water that the elephants dug up, and the elephants and humans successfully get water when they’re in need (3). Elephants are herbivores, meaning that they eat fruits, vegetables and other plants (4). In the forest when elephants eat, they create gaps in the vegetation (3). These gaps are important because it allow new plants to grow and it create pathways through the forest for other smaller animals to use (3).

Beyond their significant ecological impact, elephants also hold a considerable cultural significance (5). Recognized as some of the most symbolic animals globally (5), they are often seen as guardians of knowledge, protectors of families, and emblems of prosperity (5). In African traditions, elephants are honoured as symbols of leadership and ancestral wisdom (5). In Hinduism, the elephant is seen as the remover of obstacles and the embodiment of wisdom (6). Elephants are featured in Chinese and Buddhist art, representing good luck, safety and spiritual guidance (6). Overall elephants are seen as wise and respected leaders (6). In many stories, elephants are portrayed as wise chiefs who offer guidance to the other animals in the forest (6).

I believe it’s important to bring up that elephants have a major economic impact on countries that offer elephant- related tourist attractions (7). Although it may seem good for the economy it is an absolutely awful way to make money. Over the years elephants have produced a lot of money into economies in countries that have elephants (7). Sadly, the ways that they’re used for money involves abuse (8). Millions of tourists every year take selfies or ride elephants, wash them, and pat their trunks (8). Behind the scenes, this involves elephants living in unsuitable conditions, being beaten, in chains and drugged, which ultimately leads to many elephants being killed every year (8).

In conclusion, elephants have a major impact on their environnement and they have a major cultural importance. Although I divided their importance into two main categories, they’re are still many more not as significant impacts that they have. Therefore I believe its important to keep these animals safe. Thank you for reading

I will list my ressources below.

1. https://iere.org/why-is-the-elephant-so-important/
2. https://greenpacks.org/why-elephants-are-important-to-the-ecosystem/
3. https://savetheelephants.org/about-elephants/the-importance-of-elephants/
4. https://www.britannica.com/question/What-do-elephants-eat
5. https://natureandwildlife.tv/what-does-an-elephant-symbolize/
6. https://www.wildlifefaq.com/elephant-cultural-significance/
7. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212041622000845
8. https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-40501667