The habitat of Asian elephants is almost completely destroyed
Destruction of nature and poaching are increasingly endangering Asian elephants - this is an "ecological catastrophe". 95 percent of the Asian elephant's habitat has already been destroyed. In view of these alarming figures, the WWF is now also calling for better protection of the pachyderms.
"The disappearance of Asian elephants would be an ecological catastrophe," says Georg Scattolin from WWF Austria. More and more rainforest is being cleared for the expansion of human settlements, road networks and industrial agriculture. Added to this are poaching and conflicts with humans, which are severely affecting the pachyderms. Conclusion: "There are only 50,000 Asian elephants left in the wild, spread over thirteen countries. By comparison, there were twice as many at the beginning of the 20th century. If things continue like this, we will lose this ecologically important species forever," warns WWF species conservation expert Georg Scattolin.
Elephants fulfill important functions in their habitat. They are the gardeners of the forest, as they fertilize the soil with their excrement and spread fruit seeds. They also create clearings in which the forest can naturally rejuvenate. Their trails are used by other animals on their migrations. In Asia, elephants also have great cultural and religious significance. The historical country name Laos, for example, means "land of millions of elephants".
WWF in action for Asian elephants
Asian elephants only make up between 16 and 20 percent of all elephants worldwide. Most (around 80 percent) of the remaining animals live in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Only a maximum of 10,000 still live in Southeast Asia and China. The WWF is therefore particularly committed to the survival of the last remaining pachyderms in this region of Southeast Asia: "Asian elephants are having a particularly hard time in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. We are primarily involved in defusing human-animal conflicts and in the fight against cruel snares," says Georg Scattolin from WWF Austria.
