Elephants are the largest land mammals on earth, and undoubtedly one its most awe-inspiring creatures. Their size, unique shape, intelligence and strong family bonds have amazed and inspired humans throughout the centuries. In many myths and religions the elephant has become a symbolic figure, evident in the countless paintings, carvings and drawings of history. Despite this, mankind in the latter centuries has still managed to commit countless atrocities against these gentle giants, all in the name of money and greed.
Elephants are presumed to have originated some 55 million years ago, on the plains of northern Africa. There were many evolutionary offshoots and it is believed that over 300 different species of trunked animals once roamed the earth. Today, the perfection of this evolution is evident in the two sole surviving species - the African Elephant (Loxodonta Africana) and the Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus). There is also a forest elephant (Loxodonta cycotis) that is found in African forests - some consider this a separate species from the African elephant found in the savannah (Loxodonta Africana) however both are African elephants.
The African elephant (both the forest and savannah species) is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, just one step below Endangered. Exact numbers are uncertain, but it is believed that as much as 80% of the species occurs outside of protected areas. The Asian elephant is listed as Endangered; there is however much controversy regarding this status.
