Scientific name: Loxodonta africana
Origin: Africa
Size: 3-3.6 metres in height
Diet: Herbivore
IUCN status: Endangered
Threats: Poaching for its tusks, loss and fragmentation of habitat leading to conflict with humans, climate change
Zoos I have seen them: Blair Drummond Safari Park
Interesting fact: A recent study found that African elephants have their own ‘names’ for different individuals; they use specific vocalisations to call other members of the herd, each of which will recognise and respond to one particular vocalisation (their “name”). This suggests that elephants are capable of abstract thought, just like humans.
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