ELEPHANT CONSERVATION & EDUCATION
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo supports the conservation of animals in the wild as well as ensures the health and well-being of the animals in our care. It is the Zoo's job to participate in elephant conservation by supporting projects that address the multiple and complex issues that are key to their long-term survival in the wild. It is also the Zoo's job to make the lives of Zoo elephants as close to the "wild" as possible within the limitations of space, diet and other factors. The Zoo participates in elephant conservation through projects that have effect in places where wild elephants live. Scientists at the Zoo conduct elephant research projects to increase our knowledge and improve management of African elephants.
Although revered by many Asian cultures, the Asian elephant is being pushed to extinction. The remaining populations are mostly small, isolated, and fragmented because their ancient migratory routes and habitat have been disrupted by expanding human encroachment. Confrontations between elephants and people often lead to deaths on both sides; and poaching for ivory, meat and hides is still a widespread problem.
Asian elephants are 'flagship' species for their habitats - that is, charismatic representatives of the biodiversity within the complex ecosystems they inhabit. Since these large animals need a lot of space to survive, their conservation will help maintain biological diversity and ecological integrity over extensive areas and as a result help many other species.