In a move that will have animal lovers everywhere celebrating, the Ringling Brothers circus has announced it will phase out all of its famed elephant acts.
The 13 elephants they currently have will be sent to live at the Center for Elephant Conservation in Florida.
To celebrate the news of the elephants getting a break after years of suffering through circus training and performances, here are a few incredible facts about elephants you might not know.
Happy elephants
In a move that will have animal lovers everywhere celebrating, the Ringling Brothers circus has announced it will phase out all of it’s famed elephant acts.
The 13 elephants they currently have will be sent to live at the Center for Elephant Conservation in Florida.
To celebrate the news of the elephants getting a break after years of suffering through circus training and performances, here are a few incredible facts about elephants you might not know.
Elephants miss you
After a long separation, elephants will become highly emotional when they are reunited.
Elephant mamas love big
Elephant mothers take great care of and form an incredibly strong bond with their babies. Daughters can stay with their mothers for up to 50 years.
Elephants get anxious
Researchers believe all elephants are suffering from trauma or some type of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to years of stress associated with species-wide mass killings and loss of habitat.
Elephants get emotional
Elephants are highly emotional. Baby African elephants who watch their families slaughtered and poached will wake up screaming in the middle of the night.
Ivory funds terrorists
Ivory poaching funds terrorism. The Somali branch of Al-Qaeda alone earns an estimated $600,000 a month killing elephants.
The last elephants
In just 11 years wild elephants could go extinct.
Elephant reflections
Elephants can recognize themselves in a mirror
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Elephant brains
Elephants have the largest brain of any other land animal, making them smart, empathetic, emotional and capable of terrible suffering.
Know your elephants
There are two types of elephants: African and Asian.
How big are elephants?
The African elephant is the largest land mammal and the Asian elephant is a close second.
It’s all in the ears
The African elephant has larger ears than the Asian, but both species use them to communicate and control body temperature.
Elephant tusks
The male Asian elephants have the largest and most sought-after tusks.
Tusks are teeth
Elephant tusks are actually upper incisors that continue to grow throughout the animal’s life.
Elephants eat plants
Elephants are herbivores, they only eat plants, including grass, bark, fruits and vegetables.
Elephants and peanuts
Elephants don’t really eat peanuts.
Elephant voices
Most elephant sounds can’t be heard by humans. They have a huge vocal range and make rumbling vibrations that travel great distances — up to 50 miles — through the ground.
Elephant sunblock
Elephants can get sunburns, which is why they’re always covering themselves in dirt and mud.
Elephants grieve
Elephants grieve when a loved one dies and can show signs of mourning even years after a death.
Ivory’s value
The Chinese believe ivory poached from elephant tusks brings good luck, which is why it’s in such high demand.
Compassionate elephants
Elephants are compassionate. One herd was observed slowing their travel while one of its members was suffering from a broken leg.
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