Of all the creatures on Earth, it is probably the elephant which most people find special. You would be hard pushed to find a child in the world who did not know what an elephant was. For many people the elephant is their favourite animal, and many firms and shops have chosen the elephant as their symbol.

Why is this?
First of all, the elephant is the biggest land animal. The biggest animal in the world is the blue whale, also a mammal, which can weigh up to 100 tonnes. An elephant can weigh up to 6 tonnes and stand 3.5 - 4 metres tall.

Secondly, an elephant has certain special features. No other animal has a trunk like the elephant. One might say that the longer noses of the tapir and elephant shrew mouse were shorter versions, but only elephants have real trunks. Its big ears and tusks also help give the elephant its unique and instantly identifiable features.

Thirdly, an elephant is special because it seems to have an extraordinary personality and an array of human-like emotions. An elephant is strong but at the same time it is usually quiet and gentle. Its intelligence and sensitive qualities have not gone unnoticed as elephants have long been considered creatures of great importance. In India there is even a god with a elephantís head: Ganesh. For centuries now people have considered the elephant a symbol of strength, wisdom, friendliness, happiness, and longevity.

But what is an elephantís life like? More importantly, what problems does it face, and will there still be elephants left in a few decades?

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