Elefence is fortunate to have Nic Polenakis as one of its trustees. Nic is a premier guide who operates custom safaris in several areas of Africa. His website is myprivateafrica.com. Nic’s years of experience in the bush has endowed him with the ability to ‘read’ wildlife and know when it is ok to approach them and when one should stay away. Nic is a close friend of our president, Dick Houston, who both share a love of Africa’s wildlife and the efforts to protect it. Following is the latest communication from Nic.
Hi Dick
I hope you are keeping well.
I returned home last night after a few wonderful back to back safaris and am home for another week before I venture out again.
As usual I have been lucky and the sightings have been extraordinary with some incredible animal behaviour. It is in fact interpreting animal behaviour that I love and certainly helps breathe life into any game drive.
On my last safari to the Lower Zambezi National park in Zambia we were fortunate to locate one of my favourite leopards, Mai. Mai is an old female leopard (About 14 years old), she is wiley, has great experience and has seen it all. She has to be to live in a territory which has an ever present large pride of lion, loads of hyena, dogs, countless leopard and of course baboons!
We were driving back to camp when we heard the baboons giving their rather peculiar alarm call, a call given when a leopard has been cornered. We slowly approached the scene and there in a tree was Mai who was surrounded by a number of irate baboon. Many a young cat would have panicked and run for their lives which could have placed them in mortal danger however Mai lay on the branch, head on her forepaw, and pretended that she was not concerned or intimidated and stood her ground. Her bravery was disconcerting and totally threw the baboons who hoped to break her nerve. When a baboon ventured a little too close she growled in a way that sent shivers down the spine and certainly had the desired affect as the baboon suddenly turned around, walked away, sat down and then looked in a rather puzzled way at the leopard. The constant staring and intimidation by multiple baboon continued on for quite some time before the whole troop finally gave up and one by one slowly melted away into the forest.
The following day we found Mai sitting in some thickets, she had been hunting impala and was having a break when we found her. This was the opportunity I had been waiting for. We slowly disembarked one at a time from the vehicle and respectfully sat down on the ground with her. She is one of very few leopard who will tolerate this and in fact fell asleep with her back towards us as we sat 20 yards from her. Total trust and what an immense privilege! I will be returning to this region in a few weeks time and will definitely be on the look out for Mai once again!
I have attached a few links from our safari so please feel free to share far and wide:)
After several months of delays due to weather, logistics, and bureaucracy our fence project has been completed. This was made possible through the dedication of Wildlife Action Group and funds provided by the Elephant Protection Initiative Fund and Elefence International Inc. EPIF purchased the materials and Elefence paid for the labor, freight and site survey. WAG did all the groundwork and all the coordination with the local villages involved. As you will see in the detailed report the installation of a fence provides mutual benefits for the people, wildlife and the forest. Our thanks go out to all the parties involved and especially our generous Elefence donors.
The Following is the report from Wildlife Action Group
Project Overview Wildlife Action Group is pleased to report the successful completion of a new 10-kilometre extension of the solar-powered elephant deterrent fence, extending from Gravel area TA Kalbalambe to the end of the Kamzati Group Village Head (GVH) area. TA Kachindimoto in the south eastern areas of the Dedza Salima Escarpment Forest Reserve. This extension was undertaken following repeated requests from local communities and traditional leaders who had been experiencing persistent crop damage caused by elephants moving between the forest and surrounding farmland. The project represents another important milestone in reducing human-elephant conflict while strengthening the long-term protection of both local livelihoods and wildlife.
Community-Led Planning The project began with a series of meetings involving Traditional Authorities(TA), Group Village Heads(GVH), village heads (VH) and community representatives. During these discussions: Communities explained the increasing impact of elephant crop raiding. The proposed fence alignment was presented and discussed. Traditional leaders formally agreed to the project. Community members committed their support throughout construction. Following these meetings, Wildlife Action Group staff walked the entire proposed fence alignment together with community representatives and Officers from the Department of Forestry. This participatory approach ensured that all boundary lines were agreed upon before construction commenced and prevented future land ownership disputes. The level of cooperation received from local leaders and residents exceeded expectations. The project was warmly welcomed by every community visited, creating a strong sense of shared ownership from the outset.
Procurement of Materials Once the alignment had been agreed, specialised fence materials were ordered and imported from South Africa. This included: High-tensile fencing wire Solar energiser equipment ie panels, energizers Insulators and tensioners Electrical components required for a long-distance wildlife fence Equipment such as fence testers, cutters, lightening divertors Careful planning ensured all materials arrived before major construction activities commenced.
Community Employment One of the major achievements of this project was the level of local employment created. More than 480 community members were employed to clear the fence line before construction began. The employment programme deliberately maintained equal opportunities for both women and men, ensuring the economic benefits of the project were shared fairly throughout the surrounding villages. The work provided valuable short-term income while simultaneously creating local ownership of the project.
Fence Construction Following completion of line clearing, Wildlife Action Group construction teams began installing the fence. Community members continued to work alongside our technical staff throughout construction, assisting with installation, wire placement and general site works. The result is a continuous 10-kilometre solar-powered elephant deterrent fence designed specifically to prevent elephants from entering agricultural land while allowing wildlife to continue using the protected forest.
Solar Power System A secure solar energiser system has been installed approximately at the midpoint of the fence. Positioning the energiser centrally enables electrical current to travel efficiently in both directions, maintaining consistent fence voltage across the entire length. The fence has undergone comprehensive testing and inspection. All faults identified during commissioning were corrected immediately, ensuring the system is now fully operational.
Security Camp To support long-term fence management, a temporary field camp has been established. This facility provides accommodation and operational support while bricks are being produced for the construction of a permanent secure camp that will become the long-term operational base for fence maintenance staff. The permanent camp will significantly improve security for the fence infrastructure while allowing rapid response to any faults or wildlife incidents.
Local Employment and Capacity Building Three full-time staff members have now been employed specifically for this fence. They are currently undergoing practical training in: Fence maintenance Electrical fault detection Vegetation management Solar energiser operation Daily monitoring and inspection and reporting Rapid repair procedures Building local technical capacity ensures the fence can be maintained effectively for many years.
Conservation Impact Beyond reducing human-elephant conflict, the project has already generated significant conservation benefits. During construction and boundary inspections it became clear that sections of protected forest land adjacent to the new fence had been illegally occupied. As a result of establishing this clearly defined boundary, a substantial area of protected forest has now been reclaimed from illegal encroachment. Unfortunately, extensive evidence of environmental degradation was recorded along parts of the boundary, including: Significant forest clearance. Illegal agricultural cultivation within the protected forest. Habitat destruction close to the forest edge. The fence now provides a clearly identifiable protected area boundary that will greatly assist future management and enforcement efforts and there is a good chance the forest will regenerate naturally with good protection.
Above: The last charcoal oven found in the area and destroyed.
Strengthening Law Enforcement The completion of this fence extension allows Wildlife Action Group to expand its law enforcement presence further south than previously possible. With a secure physical boundary now in place, ranger patrols can focus greater effort on preventing: Illegal agricultural expansion. Illegal logging. Charcoal production. Poaching. Other forest crimes. Elephant protection The fence therefore serves both as a human-elephant conflict mitigation measure and as an important conservation management tool.
Wildlife Protection This section of forest supports a resident breeding herd of elephants throughout the year, together with a bachelor group of four young bulls. By reducing conflict with neighbouring communities, the fence significantly improves the long-term security of these elephants. Communities are less likely to experience crop losses, while elephants are able to remain within protected habitat, reducing the risk of retaliatory actions and dangerous encounters. This represents an important step towards long-term coexistence between people and wildlife.
Community Response Perhaps the greatest success of this project has been the extraordinary level of community support. Throughout planning and construction, local leaders and residents demonstrated enthusiasm, cooperation and commitment. The atmosphere remained positive from beginning to end, with communities actively participating in decision-making, construction and ongoing management discussions. This strong partnership provides an excellent foundation for the long-term success and sustainability of the fence.
Looking Ahead The next phase of work will focus on: Constructing the permanent ranger camp. Completing staff training. Establishing routine maintenance schedules. Continued community engagement and creation of income generating projects Monitoring elephant movements and crop-raiding incidents. Strengthening protection of reclaimed forest areas. The project demonstrates how community partnership, practical conservation and sustainable infrastructure can work together to reduce conflict, improve livelihoods and protect wildlife. It is important to note that the area south of this fence still has no fence which means elephants can still walk along this fenceline and out into community lands, so there is a need to continue to secure funding to continue to extend the solar fence.
Thank You This achievement would not have been possible without the generous support of Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation and Elefence International who has been key to the ongoing building of fences around both Thuma and Dedza Salima Escarpment Forests. Your investment has delivered tangible benefits for both people and wildlife by reducing human-elephant conflict, creating employment, strengthening forest protection, expanding ranger operations and securing vital habitat for one of Malawi’s most important elephant populations. On behalf of Wildlife Action Group, the traditional leaders and the surrounding communities, we extend our sincere gratitude for making this project possible.
The Ancient Giants of the Escarpment by Wildlife Action Group, Malawi.
There is something truly magical about the magnificent baobab trees scattered across the Dedza–Salima Escarpment. No two are ever the same. Like people, each has its own shape, character, and personality. Some stand tall and proud, others are twisted by time, while some grow together like families that have shared centuries side by side. Whenever I stand beneath one, I can’t help but wonder… if only they could talk. These silent giants have watched generations come and go. They have witnessed changing seasons, wildlife, villages growing, old traditions, celebrations, hardships, and history unfolding around them. Long before roads, vehicles, or even many of today’s communities existed, these remarkable trees were already standing here. Baobabs are among Africa’s most extraordinary trees:
🌿 They can live for well over 1,000 years, with some believed to be more than 2,000 years old. 🌿 Their massive trunks store thousands of litres of water, helping them survive long droughts. 🌿 Their fruit, often called the “superfruit,” is rich in vitamin C, fibre, and antioxidants. 🌿 Their flowers bloom for just a single night and are pollinated mainly by fruit bats. 🌿 Almost every part of the tree has been used by people for food, medicine, fibre, and shelter.
The baobab is often called “The Tree of Life”—and when you stand among these ancient giants on the escarpment, it’s easy to understand why. We are incredibly fortunate that the Dedza–Salima Escarpment still holds these living monuments. They remind us that conservation isn’t just about protecting wildlife—it’s also about preserving the ancient landscapes and natural heritage that connect us to the past and inspire future generations. May these remarkable trees continue to stand watch for centuries to come.
The Baobab is often called ‘The upside down tree’ and it is easy to see why as that is how it looks when its leaves fall off. There are several tales about why the tree is this way but the most common is that the tree was very proud and boastful about its beauty. The gods became angry at its arrogance so they uprooted it and planted it upside down.
Just to give you an idea about how massive these trees can grow this is Paula and I standing beside one.
In many areas in Africa people and elephants live in close proximity. Paula and I learned just how close when coming out of a restaurant in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, a town of about 30k people, there was an elephant walking down the middle of the street stopping traffic. While our encounter was entertaining that is not the case in rural areas. Elephants raid crops planted by local farmers. A few elephants can wipe out a farmer’s entire crop in one night causing economic disaster for a family. Even worse, it is not uncommon for elephants to kill people.
In the area where Elefence is partnering with Wildlife Action Group three people were killed by elephants in less than two years one of which was an experienced forest ranger. Before traveling to Africa I would have wondered, how this can happen. Elephants are very large animals. A full grown bull can be 13 feet tall and weigh 5-6 tons. To get an idea of just how large they are look at the following photo of one close to a compact auto. How can something this huge be overlooked in the forest?
When we were on a game drive with our guide, Custard, and yes that was his name, we came around a bend and standing in the path about 100 yards away was a large bull elephant. Custard stopped and turned off the engine and told us to remain quiet and move around very little while taking photos. Shortly the bull began to walk toward us. It was about 30 yards away when I became struck by the fact that we were sitting in the open back of a pickup truck and should the bull decide to remove us from his path he could easily turn the vehicle over. Custard was unconcerned. About ten yards away he turned off the path and moved around us through the bush. When I began breathing again I became aware that had I shut my eyes all I would have heard was a slight rustling of the bushes. He was that quiet.
Elephants are large but walk very gingerly, putting one foot down softly before advancing another. In addition if you look at their feet closely you will notice the wide area at the end of their leg which acts like a big cushion. It is almost like they walk on pillows. They can move so quietly it is no wonder they can go undetected until it is too late.
One of Elefence’s mission is resolution of HEC, Human Elephant Conflict, which is a widely recognized problem in rural Africa and often draws demands from locals to kill the elephants. Our solution is construction of solar powered electric fencing to keep the two species apart therefore protecting both. WAG is currently erecting an extension to the fence around the Dedza-Salima reserve funded by a private donation to Elefence. A fence not only protects both people and elephants it is an economic benefit as local villagers are paid to construct the fence but also patrol and maintain it as well.
In mid January a baby elephant was swept into a river which was swollen from the recent rains. It was quickly washed away from its mother who could not get to it. Fortunately a group of the local villagers were able to pull it from the river but it was exhausted and in bad shape. They immediately contacted Wildlife Action Group who came quickly to take care of the baby. Baby ellies are very hard to raise and Lynn knew they had very limited time to bring it back to health. The first thought was to get it back to the mother as soon as possible but locating the correct herd and mother was not successful. Lynn went into action and immediately contacted several people who had the specific knowledge on what needed to be done. The baby is currently still in poor condition and recovery is far from guaranteed. Following is Lynn’s recent update to us.
HI Dick Sorry this is a generic update for you as we have so many people wanting to know At present, the calf remains in a fragile and critical early-stage condition. She is experiencing ongoing difficulty with feeding and has been suffering from episodes of diarrhoea, which have made stabilization challenging. Her condition fluctuates on a daily basis, with periods of improvement followed by setbacks, which is not uncommon in neonate orphan elephants of her estimated age and size. The previously identified umbilical infection is currently being actively managed and appears to be under control at this time, though continued monitoring remains essential. The calf is notably small and weak and very young, which further complicates her recovery and requires intensive, adaptive care. To ensure the highest possible standards of welfare and technical guidance, we have secured 24-hour access to expert support from expert and experienced wildlife rescue and elephant rehabilitation specialist Ms. Liz O’Brien, , who is providing continuous remote oversight and guidance. In addition, Game Rangers International(GRI) is available as backup support, including expert input from Dr Amanda Le Salb, should further intervention or consultation be required. On the ground, Baby Ellie is receiving round-the-clock care from a dedicated team of eight Malawian staff members, operating on a 24-hour rotation. These staff members are undergoing continuous hands-on training and mentorship and have demonstrated exceptional commitment, empathy, and responsiveness to the calf’s needs under difficult and emotionally demanding conditions. It is important to note that Baby Ellie remains in the very early days of care, and despite all reasonable and appropriate interventions being applied, her prognosis remains guarded. As with all neonatal orphan wildlife cases, particularly elephants, outcomes can be unpredictable, and changes—both positive and negative—can occur rapidly.
All actions taken to date have been guided by animal welfare priorities, professional advice, and the best available knowledge under the circumstances Lynn
Following are photos of Baby Mwayi, which means ‘Luck” and she certainly needs it. Stay tuned for updates on her condition. If you have not done so scroll down to see our post about our newest fence project.
Elefence is sending Wildlife Action Group (WAG) $24,000 for fence construction thanks to a generous donor. The fence will extend the partially erected fence around the Dedza-Salima forest reserve. The fence around the Thuma reserve is complete now due to a previous Elefence contribution.
Constructing a fence is not an easy thing. First it must be approved by the Malawi government departments of forestry and wildlife. The fence line must then be surveyed to determine the exact route. Sometimes the route crosses village boundaries and must then be adjusted to insure that villages are cut off from areas they have used for generations even though they may have no clear title to the property. Negotiations with the village chiefs which border the route are critical to insure their cooperation. After all of these steps construction can begin once the rainy season ends.
WAG had secured funding for purchasing the fence materials but had no money for labor, survey services and the hiring of a qualified construction manager. The local villagers are hired as workers and their wages are a significant source of income in an an area where there is almost no work available. Funds were also required for purchasing food for the workers and paid village women to prepare and serve food to the workers. The fence is solar powered but must be patrolled regularly and maintained. The WAG rangers have other duties so again the villagers are hired for this.
A fence protects both the villages from marauding wildlife as well as defining the border of the forest reserves. A couple of elephants can destroy a farmers entire harvest in one night which often calls for the killing of the elephants. Elephants and cape buffalos are dangerous when the locals attempt to drive them away. In the last three years 5 persons have been killed by elephants in the area of the reserves.
A fence also provides a clear boundary of the reserves. Persons inside the fence without a permit to gather dead wood for cooking and heating or cutting bamboo for construction are usually doing something illegal such as poaching wildlife or cutting trees for making charcoal.
Following are photos from a previous fence construction project.
Clearing the fence line
WAG rangers working on the fence
Villagers preparing for the installation of a new fence
This is a summary of an email we received from Lynn upon returning to Thuma Forest Reserve after a holiday back in her native country of Ireland. We were becoming concerned as we had not heard from her in several weeks.
“Sorry for the lack of response but my holiday turned into a remote job. Spent 2 weeks fundraising which was good but we did not meet our target for salaries and operations. That along with family sickness and a death in the family consumed all of my time.
I am back 5 days and it has been nonstop trying to resolve urgent things. 3 vehicles off the road with serious issues, 5 serious staff health crisis (one whole day taking them to doctors and hospital but we saved one’s life so it was worth it).
Poaching has risen sharply and we are overrun with wildlife and forest crime. It is scary and we have lost 4 rangers who have resigned as they feared for their lives. (See our earlier post about how being a forest ranger is one of the most dangerous job in the world).
We have a new president and things are changing rapidly. School fees, governance, sugar etc are hit with rapid prices. Fuel alone is up 33%. Beer too for which I am not happy.
The new government is stopping any child who has not done well from going on to high school even if they can afford it. This, however, is giving us an opportunity to promote 2 excellent students to go to a top government school. The drawback is that it is much more expensive but we believe it will be worth the extra cost. Of the 10 students we sponsored last year in secondary school 8 sat for different final exams and all passed. 1 failed and will repeat and one girl has not returned to school.
Fence materials have arrived – yippee – I spent Friday in the city clearing customs and transporting them to HQ. (We will have a report in the future about Elefence’s contribution to the next phase of construction).
We reintroduced Zebras before I left and they are doing great. One herd hangs around the lodge and the other around the HQ camp. Today I saw with my own eyes for the first time eland and nyala …..so exciting. We hope to get new ones reintroduced next month and after that my dream …. leopard.
A critical issue is that fertilizer costs have skyrocketed and we are short $3000 to purchase what is need for many local families. Anything you can do will be much appreciated.” ( Note: Elefence is going to fund $3000 from our generous supporters toward this cost. Planting season begins in December before the rains come. Without adequate fertilizer the yields will fall significantly making starvation a real threat.)
Our trip to Malawi had several goals. First was to meet Lynn Clifford, Field Operations Manager of Wildlife Action Group (WAG) for the Thuma and Dedza-Salima Forest reserves. We had corresponded with Lynn over two years but not able to travel due to the Covid restrictions.
Lynn Clifford
Second was to review the fence we funded, thanks to a generous donor, which was the last section to encircle the Thuma forest. It is always our policy to make sure the money we send is actually being used as intended. Since the completion of the fence there has been zero human elephant conflict around Thuma much to the delight of the villages in the area. Their crops are now safe from marauding wildlife. It only takes one or two elephants to wipe out and entire harvest and leave a family fighting for survival. Raids by wildlife usually calls for killing the animals.
Solar power supply for the Elefence fence.
A fence also defines a clear boundary around the forest. Persons inside the fence without a permit to harvest bamboo for construction or to gather dead wood were usually doing something illegal such as poaching wildlife or cutting trees for charcoal production. The pictures below were taken of the same hillside inside the fence over three years. The first one shows the land almost completely denuded of vegetation. The second shows how the forest can recover if given the opportunity to regenerate.
Thirdly we wanted to review all the various community and ecological programs established by WAG to see where else we could help. Our primary mission is building solar powered electric fences but it is not possible to build a fence without the cooperation of the local villages surrounding the forest. The villages have had access to the forest for generations and you cannot take that way without providing them with alternatives. We toured the area with Austin Chimbalanga, the WAG Community Outreach Officer.
We visited several villages to see what programs WAG was supporting. WAG employs an agronomist to teach the local people how to grow and improve the yields in their gardens. They also supply poultry and goats which the villages can raise for protein, milk and to sell to provide income. They are taught beekeeping which is another generator of income.
Community garden
Bee hive. Raised to keep Honey Badgers and other animals out.
One thing three villages requested was a water well or borehole as it is called in Africa. We raised funds which were matched by other donors and the results were reported in a previous post.
We visited an elementary and secondary school, meeting with the staff and visiting the classrooms. Elementary school is mandatory and free for grades 1-8 however it is horribly crowded. The one we visited had 832 students and only 13 teachers. A 64 to 1 ration is not very conducive to learning. The teachers however were dedicated and did their best for the students. High school is optional if the parents can pay for it, about $150/year. Unfortunately even this meager amount is well beyond the means of the average family. About 1 out of 25 children get an education beyond the 8th grade. After learning all this we started a scholarship program and pay for 10 students to attend high school each year.
Elementary classroom
High School class
We were honored to attend a council of village chiefs with Lynn. The group discussed the problems they were facing and various solutions. We could not understand the discussions but Lynn told us one of the main concerns was the threat from local gangs who poached wildlife and cut trees for charcoal production. These are not individuals feeding their family but rather organized gangs who routinely were a danger to the locals as well as the rangers who patrol the forest. Rangers have been injured and even killed by these gangs. Lynn emphasized that the villages had to work together to support each other and report illegal activity to WAG or the local authorities. Elefence supports the rangers by awarding a small cash bonus of $3 for every successful apprehension and conviction of a criminal. Note that two of the chiefs were women. Transfer of power to a new chief passes through the mother and sometimes there is no male heir so it will go to the next female in line.
Council of Chiefs
We visited what Lynn called “An end of life clinic” which is what we refer to as a hospice center. The clinic is funded by a charity from Ireland and Lynn sits on their board. They dispense pain and other medication to ease a person’s exit from life on earth. They also provide food for patients and their families since most of the patients cannot work. Most of the people in the photo have some kind of terminal disease and the clinic nurse told us that 90% the women which need the clinic’s services have cervical cancer. Lynn pays a nurse to make monthly visits to the local villages to educate women and urge them to come to the clinic to get tested before it is too late.
Elephants have some unique and interesting physical properties in addition to their immense size. These properties have evolved over millions of years into the amazing creature we know today. Consider the following:
Look at the large pad on the bottom of their front leg. This feature serves to distribute their weight so they do not sink in soft ground and provides a cushion as they walk. It will retract somewhat when they lift their leg so it breaks the suction from walking on muddy ground.
An elephants ears do much more than detect sounds. Their primary function is to radiate heat from their body. The ears are filled with capillaries which carry heat from the body so it is dispelled into the air. The ears also give evidence as to the elephants state of agitation. A nervous elephant will shake its head or rapidly flap their ears if they are apprehensive about something. They will also hold their ears out wide to make themselves look larger.
Certainly one of the most striking features are the tusks which protrude from their face. They are both a tool and a weapon. A tusk is a modified incisor tooth and grows throughout their life although it can be worn down from use. Elephants are right or left handed just like humans and the worn tusks tells you which. Unfortunately they are also the cause of hundreds of thousands of elephant being slaughtered for their ivory in order to be sold into the Asian market to make trinkets, jewelry and statues. The poaching of elephants for their ivory is responsible for the fact that there are less than 50 old ‘Tuskers’ left with massive tusks which were once a common sight in Africa.
A right handed elephant
One of the few super tuskers left
The trunk is a most useful appendage for an elephant. They eat with it, drink with it, smell with it, trumpet with it, and greet other elephants with it. Their sense of smell is four times greater than that of a bloodhound. They will use it to siphon up water to spray over their body or to give themselves a dust bath to protect their sensitive skin. It contains over 100,000 individual muscles which makes it both very strong and yet flexible. The prehensile tip can pick up something as small as a peanut and are able to crack the shell without breaking the nut inside.
There are two species of elephants on earth today. The African elephant and the Asian elephant. They are genetically different but easy to identify just by looking at their head and ears. For the most part however they share the same traits and abilities so we can consider them as one species. Zoologists break down the African elephant into two sub species, the bush or savannah elephant which lives in more open areas and the forest elephant which lives in jungle or wooded locations. Once again however we can really consider them as one species.
African elephant
Asian elephant
Elephants are the largest land animals alive on earth today. A mature African bull elephant can stand 13 ft tall at the shoulder and weigh upwards of 7 tons. It is difficult to appreciate just how big they are unless you are up close to them or you see them next to a familiar object.
Elephants live on average to between 60 and 70 years of age. They have 5 to 6 sets of molars in their jaws with which they use to grind their food. As the ones in the front wear down and fall out the ones in the rear move forward to replace them. When the last set is gone they can no longer properly feed themselves and basically die of starvation. Sadly elephants kept in zoos die at around 40 years of age. Elephants are hard wired to move about and travel freely and they need the social interaction with other elephants. The stress of captivity significantly shortens their life. Remember this when you see an elephant at a zoo.
Close up of an wide open elephant mouth. It shows anatomic details of the elephant throat like its teeth, tongue and the roof of the mouth
Elephants are right or left handed just like humans. You can tell by observing which tusk is worn down more than the other.
Left handed elephant
Right handed elephant
The saying that ‘An elephant never forgets’ is very true as they have amazing memories. Their brain is 4-5 times larger than a human’s, is very similar in construction and much of it is dedicated to memory. They navigate long distances by remembering the directions and trails they have taken in the past. They remember the location of waterholes and can recognize individual elephants they’ve had a relationship with in the past.
They can remember the location of fruit trees and when the fruit will ripen and fall to the ground. Elephants routinely push over small trees to get at the tops to eat the leaves. They don’t do this with fruit trees however, as they have learned that if they do that the tree will never again bear fruit again. So they butt the tree with their head or grab it with their trunk and shake the fruit loose. They eat what falls to the ground and return later to do it again.
Elephants don’t sweat but need to disperse heat from their large bodies. An elephant’s ears are filled with many blood vessels and act as radiators to keep the elephant cool.
Stay tuned for a post about some of the elephant’s physical properties.
Elefence International, Inc. 