The Borneo Pygmy Elephants Revealed In Walt Disney's Dumbo
As Martin Buber once said, “an animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language”. As the years go by, numerous animals are becoming extinct by man’s lack of compassion. They used to roam freely, without fear, in the wild, although; with rising population, the wilderness is no longer their home. Therefore, the animals are forced to share their land with uncompassionate humans. One example is the Borneo Pygmy Elephant found in Southeast Asia. Their thriving population has diminished to less than 1,500 in the past years. An analysis of the endangered Borneo Pygmy Elephant shows their characteristics and habitat, what is threatening them, and how they can be saved. Walt Disney’s Dumbo could not have portrayed a Borneo Pygmy Elephant better.
Their baby-faced profile warms hearts and brings love wherever they go. They have oversized ears, plump stomachs, and long tails that drag when they walk. Growing only up to ten feet in height, the Pygmy Elephants are the smallest sub-species of Asian elephants. They are more gentle-natured than their Asian and African counterparts. They are commonly found in the forest habitats of Borneo and Sumatra. Pygmy Elephants are herbivores and they receive their main nutrients from a wide variety of vegetation. While their homeland is beneficial, they must migrate during the monsoon season. The eldest of the herd is responsible for remembering the migration route. Their migration generally takes place during the wet and dry seasons, although, newly built farms appear along the routes of the elephants. They have no choice but to lead on and this causes destruction to the newly founded farmland. “Animal cruelty is one of the most unfortunate and barbaric demonstrations of human beings manipulating ill-conceived notions of power over other species” explained Ian Somerhalder. Elephants are tortured and killed for their tusks by poachers every day. Although Borneo Pygmy Elephants do not have large tusks like their Asian and African cousins, they are still killed for the same reasons. Although tigers are their primary predator, their most dangerous threat for survival are humans. The shrinking forests bring the elephants in contact with humans, increasing human-elephant conflict. Deforestation is decreasing their main supply of food and the new oil palm plantations increase human settlements. In the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, over twenty percent of elephants have been injured by illegal snares set by men to catch small game. Over the past couple of years, the Borneo Pygmy Elephant population has decreased drastically which landed them the title of endangered. If the Pygmy Elephant was to become extinct, the world would lose a precious and beautiful animal. It was not until the year 2005 that the World Wildlife began researching this magnificent creature. One way humans could help the diminishing species is by protecting forests in the populated areas. By identifying elephant corridors, the World Wildlife foundation can work with plantation owners to create reforested corridors that allow elephants to pass through between natural forests. This reduces human interaction and helps elephants survive and reproduce in their natural habitat. Little is known about the Pygmy Elephants which is the main reason they are not kept in captivity. They flourish in the wild like animals should.
Their baby-faced profile warms hearts and brings love wherever they go. They have oversized ears, plump stomachs, and long tails that drag when they walk. Growing only up to ten feet in height, the Pygmy Elephants are the smallest sub-species of Asian elephants. They are more gentle-natured than their Asian and African counterparts. They are commonly found in the forest habitats of Borneo and Sumatra. Pygmy Elephants are herbivores and they receive their main nutrients from a wide variety of vegetation. While their homeland is beneficial, they must migrate during the monsoon season. The eldest of the herd is responsible for remembering the migration route. Their migration generally takes place during the wet and dry seasons, although, newly built farms appear along the routes of the elephants. They have no choice but to lead on and this causes destruction to the newly founded farmland. “Animal cruelty is one of the most unfortunate and barbaric demonstrations of human beings manipulating ill-conceived notions of power over other species” explained Ian Somerhalder. Elephants are tortured and killed for their tusks by poachers every day. Although Borneo Pygmy Elephants do not have large tusks like their Asian and African cousins, they are still killed for the same reasons. Although tigers are their primary predator, their most dangerous threat for survival are humans. The shrinking forests bring the elephants in contact with humans, increasing human-elephant conflict. Deforestation is decreasing their main supply of food and the new oil palm plantations increase human settlements. In the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, over twenty percent of elephants have been injured by illegal snares set by men to catch small game. Over the past couple of years, the Borneo Pygmy Elephant population has decreased drastically which landed them the title of endangered. If the Pygmy Elephant was to become extinct, the world would lose a precious and beautiful animal. It was not until the year 2005 that the World Wildlife began researching this magnificent creature. One way humans could help the diminishing species is by protecting forests in the populated areas. By identifying elephant corridors, the World Wildlife foundation can work with plantation owners to create reforested corridors that allow elephants to pass through between natural forests. This reduces human interaction and helps elephants survive and reproduce in their natural habitat. Little is known about the Pygmy Elephants which is the main reason they are not kept in captivity. They flourish in the wild like animals should.