Elephants

There are many types of animals found around the world. Some are very
big and some very small. The elephant is the largest animal living today
and the strongest too.

It has thick legs, huge sides and back, large hanging ears, a small tail, little
eyes, long white tusks and above all long nose called trunk. The trunk is
the elephant’s peculiar feature, and it puts it to various uses.

It draws up water by it and can squirt it all over its body like a shower
bath, picks leaves from the trees and puts them into the mouth. Elephants
look very clumsy and heavy.

Elephants are found in India and Africa. The African elephant differs in
some respects from the Indian, it is larger, stronger, with longer tusks and
bigger ears. In fact, the two are considered to be of different species.

In both countries, they live in herds in jungles and are shy and keep away
from men. The elephant is a very intelligent animal and its intelligence and
strength make it a very useful servant of man.

It can be trained to serve in various ways. The trained elephant will kneel
down, lift a heavy log of wood with its tusks, carry it to the place where it
is wanted and lay it exactly in position.

Elephants are also trained for tiger-hunting. The hunter is in the ‘howdah’
on the back of the elephant, which is driven and guided by the driver,
‘mahawat’.

In the olden days, elephants were used in battles and armies had their
regiments of trained fighter elephants. They still have their places in state
processions. Many elephants are caught alive to be tamed and trained.

But catching elephants alive is difficult and dangerous work; for, though
the elephant is a shy, wild animal when left alone, it can be a dangerous
enemy when attacked.

Elephants are very useful for men and their work. At a few places,
elephants are hunted mainly for their tusks, which are made of ivory and
are very valuable. Law does not permit the hunting of elephants. We
should protect them to keep a balanced environment