Elephants are a keystone species. They create and maintain the ecosystems in which they live and make it possible for a myriad of plant and other animal species to live in those environments as well. The loss of elephants gravely affects many species that depend on elephant-maintained ecosystems and causes major habitat chaos and a weakening to the structure and diversity of nature itself. To lose the elephant is to lose an environmental caretaker and an animal from which we have much to learn.

Elephants are running out of space with time. Before we know it they will be gone — unless we collectively stop the senseless poaching and consumer demand for ivory, and allocate protected natural habitat in countries where elephants and other wildlife can thrive now, and in the future.

What are you doing to STOP the killing and mistreatment of elephants?

You can make life better for abused individuals by boycotting circuses with elephants, and by appealing to others to do the same. Another way to help elephants is to give your support to those institutions, organizations, projects and individuals who work to better understand, conserve and protect elephants, whether this be through applied conservation, education or advocacy. Happy #WorldElephantday and elephants are #WorthMoreAlive.