• Home
  • How we take action
  • News
  • About
  • Contact
Menu
  • Home
  • How we take action
  • News
  • About
  • Contact
Donate now
  • How we take action
  • Testimonials
  • News
  • About
  • Contact
  • Donate
Menu
  • How we take action
  • Testimonials
  • News
  • About
  • Contact
  • Donate

Why elephants need tusks

  • October 10, 2019
  • News

When we first told our supporters about our plans to reintroduce the lost gene which allows elephants to grow tusks, some of them asked if it would not be best for all future elephants not to have tusks, because that way they would be of no interest to poachers.

Alas it’s not that simple – an elephant without tusks is a crippled elephant. Not having tusks for an elephant is like not having arms for humans.

Elephants use their tusks for lifting, gathering food, and stripping bark to eat from trees. In times of drought, elephants dig water holes in dry riverbeds by using their tusks, feet, and trunks. They are also important as a defence against predators – a pride of lions are formidable hunters and will target young elephants; tusked elephants are much better equipped to fight for the survival of their young. They also use tusks to avoid the sensitive trunk from being damaged; they tuck it between their tusks when charging. It’s interesting to note that just as humans are left-handed or right-handed, elephants are left or right tusked, using one far more than the other.

Tusks play a significant role in social behaviour. Male elephants are usually solitary and do not have loyalty to one group. They typically roam around trying to find suitable females to mate with. Males compete fiercely and in combat with other elephants, big tusks are a distinct advantage. When we moved our first big tusker to Addo, he acquired four female admirers overnight.

Elephants with tusks are good for the environment, creating habitats for other smaller creatures, like certain lizards for example, who prefer to make their homes in trees roughed up or knocked over by browsing elephants.

Also, we must never forget that having tusks is how elephants are supposed to be!

By supporting our work, you are reaching out with caring hands to stop animal abuse

Please donate now
Stay up to date

Stay up to date

Share on facebook
Share on google
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp

Network For Animals Slams Denmark’s Rushed COVID-19 Mink Massacre

An apology by Denmark’s Government is little comfort to animal lovers worldwide after 15 million mink were mercilessly slaughtered on farms across the country. Meanwhile,

10 December 2020

Albatross Beak Mutilation In Atlantic: Fishermen Cut The Bills Off Live Seabirds

Endangered seabirds, including live albatrosses and petrels, are being killed in brutal circumstances by having their bills hacked off by fishermen in three South American

7 December 2020

Caracals Under Seize From Poachers Infiltrating Noordhoek Wetlands

Caracals living in Noordhoek wetlands are under siege from all sides, facing considerable threats to their survival. This nocturnal and elusive wild cat native to

4 December 2020

They Say It Takes A Village, But It Took The World To Save The Life Of Kaavan – The World’s Loneliest Elephant

The world’s loneliest elephant has finally escaped a torturous life of abuse and cruelty inside a dilapidated zoo in Islamabad and is ready to live

1 December 2020

Help us fight cruelty to animals around the world

Click here to donate

Network for Animals

Network for Animals is a non-government, international animal welfare organisation crusading for animals around the world.

© Network for Animals
Privacy policy

Campaigns

Cats In Crisis Disaster Relief Dogs In Distress Elephants Hunting with Hounds Organized Horse Fighting Seal Hunt Worldwide Donkey Crisis

Stay up to date

Receive our regular emails about our campaigns for animals around the world.

Sign up

Stay up to date with our campaigns

Contact us

+1 727 599 8148
+44 (0)20 8471 7666
info@networkforanimals.org

Facebook-f
Twitter
Youtube
Instagram
Linkedin

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

I agree