Do Elephants Attack People?
In recent years, there have been several reports of elephants attacking and even killing people. It is difficult to determine why these normally docile creatures are suddenly attacking for no apparent reason. Normally they will only attack if provoked or threatened. Elephants have an excellent memory and it seems that humanity's mistreatment of these gentle giants may be catching up with them.
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Features
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Elephants are the largest living land mammals. Their average lifespan is between 50 to 70 years, although they may live longer. Male elephants can reach between 10 and 13 feet in height and can weigh as much as 15,000 pounds. If these animals were naturally aggressive toward humans they could definitely do major damage. For many years, humans have prided themselves on their ability to capture and control such massive beasts. These huge animals are trained to work in circuses and perform tricks for audiences sometimes at the expense of being beat into submission.
Misconceptions
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People often think that elephants have the very best care and treatment in zoos and circuses. Although some such organizations do strive to provide the best care others do not. Individual workers or trainers may also be abusive. Several news releases by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) bring to light the treatment of elephants as well as other animals. According to the PETA Media Center 14 U.S., zoos have closed their elephant exhibits or announced plans to phase them out due to their inability to meet the needs of these animals. Further information details the abuse of elephants at the Carson & Barnes circus. The animals were being beat with a sharp metal bull hook by an elephant trainer who instructed other trainers to do the same. Circus animals are routinely abused. Zoos often do not have the facilities or resources to provide to meet the necessary requirements of elephants and other animals.
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Significance
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Elephant attacks have been on the rise in recent years. Not only have attacks been increasing in controlled environments such as zoos and circuses, but also in the wild. Elephants are naturally docile animals that do not attack humans unless provoked, yet there have been recent reports of wild elephants attacking tourists just trying to catch a glimpse or snap a picture of these beautiful creatures. In areas such as Africa, parts of India and even in China, elephant have attacked humans and destroyed villages. People are afraid to come out of their homes or cross roads where elephants are grazing nearby since the elephants will block the path. In the past, elephant attacks on humans have been relatively rare and the influx of recent attacks seem unpredictable.
Considerations
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Some researchers and animal behaviorists look to the elephant's intelligence and memory for answers. It seems that perhaps elephants have simply had enough and are fighting back. Elephants are very social and family oriented animals. They have a high degree of intelligence and a strong memory. Elephants have the capacity to learn a wide variety of behaviors. They show compassion and even grief. They may very well have the capacity to seek revenge. Elephants have been captured, shot, taken from their mothers and other family members, abused and killed for their tusks. They have endured much suffering at the hands of humankind and the cycle of violence perpetuates violence. The attacks in Africa and India have been referred to as the Human-Elephant Conflict which is suitable because it truly has become a conflict between humans and these great beasts.
Effects
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The ongoing movement and development of humans into the natural habitat of elephants and other animals provides them with less land to live on and less food to eat. Elephants are large animals that consume about 200 to 400 pounds of vegetation and drink approximately 30 gallons of water daily. When elephants are pushed out of their natural habitat into limited areas they are likely to consume farmer's crops because they are hungry. The farmer's retaliate by killing the animals for the destruction of their crops. The elephants fight back by attacking people and villages. It's a cycle of destruction. Humans are consuming resources at an alarming rate and the other species are paying the price.
Expert Insight
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In an essay published in the Journal of Nature, ecologist and psychologist Gay Bradshaw argued that the worldwide population of elephants is suffering from a form of post-traumatic stress disorder causing them to behave more aggressively. According to Dr. Bradshaw, events that can cause post-traumatic stress include captivity, physical abuse, isolation and witnessing the loss or death of a loved one among other factors. Although elephants do not normally attack human beings it is important to remember that they are still wild animals and their behavior cannot always be predicted.
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Resources
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