Why I Chose to Research on the Asian Elephant?

Elephants are far beyond one of the most fascinating creatures on earth. The Asian elephant is highly intelligent withholding the highest amount of cerebral cortex around its brain. This allows them to think consciously, smart, and even allows some to draw pictures and notice themselves in the mirror. Beyond being the largest and strongest land mammal, elephants are very friendly animals. They commit no harm unless threatened. Like humans, elephants are very family oriented. A group of females will stay together with their young and travel together under the leadership of the oldest female known as the 'matriarch'. Even if one member is hurt or in danger, the Asian elephants will stay and protect one another like how any human would do. Not only are the Asian elephants the best laborers, they are also adored and even worshipped by many cultures in Asia and across the globe. Reading about all these informative facts and having a couple of times in my life meeting and riding an Asian elephant, made me very interested with this research. Although it is sad to see this magnificent creature endangered, we all can try and help in some way in order to raise the population up so that natural processes like evolution won’t be affected. 

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