AFRICAN ELEPHANT


The endangered Asian elephant and the African elephants are the largest animals that live on land. Asian elephants live in parts of India and Southeast Asia. The Savanna and Forest African elephants live in Africa south of the Sahara. Elephants grow throughout their lifetime, the older it is, the bigger it is. Pillarlike structured legs and nearly round padded feet enable the elephant to run with little noise. The nose is a long trunk that they use as a hand, each places the tip of its trunk in the other's mouth when greeting, while mother's comfort her calf by stroking with it. Elephants love water, are excellent swimmers and bathe in lakes and rivers. They roll in mud to keep their tender skin shielded from the sun and insects. They have the largest teeth and ears of any animal, good hearing but poor sight. Each family is led by the oldest female, the matriarch who is the carrier of knowledge. Wild elephants perform important natural functions. They turn densely wooded areas into open areas by feeding on trees and plants and they dig up dry riverbeds to reach water. More kinds of animals can then drink and live in these open habitats. Elephants are in great danger and need human protection to survive. Illegal hunting by poachers with automatic weapons kill thousands of elephants yearly for their ivory tusks, making jewellery, carvings, and for signature seals in Japan. Logging, agricultural clearance and industry also threaten the natural resources needed for the elephant to survive.

The 'Lost City Collection' wildlife design portrays the awesome beauty of the strong and intelligent African Elephant painted by Jean Sindelar and Ro London.
Lost City Collection