Animal of the Month

1. There are two species of elephants – the African elephant and the Asian elephant.
2. The African elephant is the world's largest land mammal, often measuring up to 4 metres high and weighing over 6 tonnes. That's the equivalent of 80 people or five cars.
3. Elephants' trunks are used for eating, drinking, smelling, breathing, bathing and greeting other elephants. They flap their ears to keep cool. Elephants can communicate over long distances by subsonic sounds – sounds too low for humans to hear.
4. Elephants kept in zoos around the world live lonely lives. Their most basic needs – including space to roam and social companionship – are taken away from them. Zoos keep elephants in unnaturally small groups and transfer individuals between facilities with no consideration for the special bonds between family members and friends.
5. Ever heard the saying "an elephant never forgets"? It's true – elephants have outstanding memories.
6. Elephants live in family groups led by a dominant female who is known as the matriarch. Researchers have found that older matriarchs have more highly developed social skills.
7. Elephants are endangered because their habitat is disappearing and because people kill them for their flesh and ivory tusks.
8. Because elephants help maintain their ecosystems, they are known as a "keystone species". They create pathways through forests for smaller animals and dig to find water during droughts.
9. Some circuses still use elephants and whip them to make them learn tricks. Circuses such as Cirque Surreal and The Chinese State Circus do not use animals in their shows.
10. Elephants care for their sick family members and mourn members who pass away.