These Elephant Mothers and Calves Will Completely Change the Way You Think About Ivory (PHOTOS)

Elephants are extremely intelligent and highly emotional creatures. These majestic animals have been known to console one another when they are distressed, hold conversations with friends and even recognize themselves in mirrors; however, despite these traits that make the elephant so similar to humans, we continue to exploit these beautiful animals.

Habitat loss, the tourism trade and poaching all pose serious threats to the elephant population. But of these horrible things, poaching exists as the main driver of elephant extinction. It is estimated that an elephant is killed for their ivory tusks every 15 minutes. In one year alone, up to 50,000 African elephants will lose their lives to this cruel practice. The ivory trade is an incredibly lucrative industry, but if it is not stopped, it is highly likely that the wild elephant population could be extinct in the next 20 years.

One of the most heartbreaking aspects of elephant poaching, is the number of orphaned calves who are left behind. The bond between a mother elephant and her calf has been described as the closest relationship of any animal on Earth. Calves rely on their mothers completely for care, protection and nourishment up until they are five years old. Ensuring that the elephant population is resilient means protecting new born calves at all costs. In order for that to happen, it means that we need to protect their mothers from poachers.

While many people do no realize that ivory is the product of a dead elephant, it is the sad reality. Take a look at these beautiful elephant moms and calves and spread the message about the devastating affect of the ivory trade to help protect these elephants for good!

 Trunk wrinkles are like elephant laugh lines. 

Charles Peterson/Flickr

“Okay, okay. I’ll eat my greens, but only if it means my tusks will grow as big and shiny as yours!”

Steve Garvie/Flickr

“Ick! I keep getting tall grass in my mouth … are you sure I can’t have a piggy back ride?”

David Sui/Flickr

“The world’s a pretty big place, but when I’m with you it feels warm and cozy.”

Nara Simhan/Flickr

“Look Ma! I’m the same size as your tusks!”

Julian Mason/Flickr

 “I’ve got some big footsteps to follow in!”

Martin Heigan/Flickr

The secret to a well-behaved calf is to tire them out with long walks!

Julian Mason/Flickr

“Stay away poachers, I got tiny tusks and I will use them!”

“An elephant never forgets … which is why I KNOW, right now is snack time.”

Kimberly Brown-Azzarello/Flickr

“She’s got the family ears … she’ll grow into them one day.”

David Sui/Flickr

Even elephant calves have bath time!

G Bayliss/Flickr

“Ma, he pulled my trunk!”

Scott Sewell/Flickr

“I’d be lost without you.”

Katie Hunt/Flickr

Lead image source: Shever/Flickr