Elephants are active during the day and at night, normally resting in the hottest part of the day. Toward sundown, the herd moves toward water to drink and bathe. Elephants normally drink at least once a day. After drinking, they may stay in or near the water for some time. Not only do they drink and bathe, they trunk-spray their own and each other's bodies, they splash and churn up the mud, and they roll over and squirm, giving every indication of having a good time. Thick, sticky mud is highly favored, and after a roll, calves emerge looking like chocolate-covered elephants.

Elephants are generally peaceful and easygoing, and they show great affection for one another. They even communicate with each other in many ways and with all their senses. They rely less on their eyes than humans do, but visual signals are important - the position of their ears and trunk shows what mood an elephant is in. Their sense of smell can tell them something about another elephant's health. Touch can also be used to convey some information. But the main way an elephant communicates deliberately is, as with humans, by sound. Elephant vocalizations range from high-pitched squeaks to deep rumbles. These deep rumbles, as much as two thirds of what an elephant is saying, are too low for the human ear to detect.

The saying "an elephant never forgets" is close to the truth. Elephants do have a remarkable memory. In the wild, elephants appear to remember for years their relationships with dozens, perhaps hundreds, of other elephants, some of whom they may only see occasionally. The advantages of a good memory may explain why they have evolved such a large brain.

Elephants are described by ecologists as "keystone species". Ecology is the science concerned with ecosystems, the ways in which animals and plants interact with each other and with their environment. Elephants play such an important role in their ecosystem that, the loss of elephants from an area would cause the existing ecosystem to collapse. Many species of animals and plants, in both Africa and Asia, benefit from the presence of elephants. Some of these species could not survive without them. When conservationists try to protect elephants, their work has a wider aim as well - to save the whole ecosystem and preserve biodiversity. And if elephants are to survive, we must make sure that two things happen: first, enough elephant habitat must be left in its natural state, and secondly, the elephants must be protected. This can come about by legislation and the efforts of conservation societies such as the ones listed below in the "further information" list. As well as education on every level, so that everyone learns to share the environment to the benefit of us all.

As of January 8, 2002, the President of the USA has signed into law the African Elephant Conservation Reauthorization Act. This new law will further the USA's national interest in promoting environmental stewardship around the world. This law will provide important grants to help conserve some of the world's most critically endangered species through public-private international partnerships that deliver on-the-ground conservation projects and build local conservation expertise and capability.

Elephant relocation seems to be becoming more common. Instead of culling more than 1,000 elephants located in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, the elephants are to be spared by plans to transport the animals to a new game reserve in neighbouring Mozambique. The operation will see about 1,100 elephant bulls, cows and calves transported by lorry across the South African border, in a multimillion-pound exercise expected to take several years. Former South Africa president, Nelson Mandela, formally opened the gates to the neighboring countries for the transportation of the first 40 elephants. This new park, known as "Great Limpopo Park", has 13,510 square-miles in the countries of South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. According to Crispian Olver, director-general of South Africa's Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, it is probably the single most important event in conservation in this century for South Africa and the region. This park will open natural migratory routes, which were artificially blocked by political boundaries constructed by the colonial masters of southern Africa, and will reestablish the herds that once roamed freely. The park will be governed by an international treaty which will be signed by the ministers of environment from the three countries. And I would love to see cooperation on this grand scale to spread throughout the world!

What are the long term effects of poaching on an elephant population? Charles and Lara Foley are studying the elephant population in Tarangire National Park in Tanzania to find out some answers to this question. Since poachers seek out the largest tusks, and since the tusk grow on an elephant throughout its lifespan, the oldest and most experienced elephants are killed first. The result is not only a decline in the overall elephant population, but a severely impacted social structure. Elephant society is matriarch-led and the matriarch is usually the oldest female, who by longevity has experiences with droughts and hardships, and have learned from their grandmothers where the best places to find food and water are located. But what happens when all the mature elephants have been poached? In Tarangire, which had a long drought that lasted from 1992 to 1994, some groups of elephants with older matriarchs left the park to find other sources of food and water, but some groups with young (in their twenties) matriarchs stayed because they had no knowledge of where to go to find water or food. These groups suffered poor physical condition, low birthrates, and high infant mortality. All as a result of poaching. Tarangire has since had better conditions and is one of the best places in Africa to see large herds of elephants. But it will take many years for populations to build up experiences to overcome the poaching of older elephants.

One very special place that is trying to do so much for "retired" Asian elephants as well as elephants in general is "The Elephant Sanctuary" in Hohenwald, Tennessee. They are providing a great life for elephants that have become a burden to their former owners, by becoming too old to breed, to old to perform, or difficult because the elephant decided to behave like an elephant. This place has acres and acres for their elephants to roam. They have doctored elephants that need medical help, fed the undernourished elephants, and most importantly, given the elephants a chance and place to be as elephants will naturally be - together in a safe environment. Please visit and read all about this place and at least let them know you care too!

The "Living With Elephants Foundation" of Botswana is a registered non-profit organization in Botswana that is dedicated to relieving the conflict between humans and elephants. They try to resolve the day-to-day problems by using educational programs which encourage a harmonious relationship between elephants and people. Since Botswana has the largest remaining free range African Elephant population of any of the range states, there is a lot at stake. Please check out their organization for more information and to see how you can get involved!