POACHER FROM Mara the Elephant

My name is Mara and I am an elephant. In real life I am known to be he largest land mammal on earth, Being an African elephant means I will weigh up to eight tons. For those who don't know I can be distinguished by my massive body, large ears and a long trunk, which has many uses ranging from using it as a hand to pick up objects, as a horn to trumpet warnings, an arm raised in greeting to a hose for drinking water or bathing.

I play a crucial role your ecosystem. I have long been an  architects of your landscape – opening up woodlands as me and my family feed and roam. For example, in forests we create clearings which allow new plants to grow and naturally regenerate the forest. This is a very crucial role, one crucial to the survival of many other species both large and small.

Did you know no other animal can, for instance, recycle the precious minerals of the giant Baobab, a long lived colossus extremely rich in calcium and trace elements. The debris of trees felled by us shields pioneer grasses and shrubs from trampling; deep rooted perennial grasses follow, the grazers proliferate and browsers decline

We also play a vital role in seed dispersal, especially for large seeds that are not spread by smaller animals. Without us these larger seeds would either be dispersed over shorter distances, dispersed less often, or not dispersed at all. This would affect the natural structure and functioning of the forest ecosystem – which is important to people and other animals.

It is we who create the trails that benefit all others, roads that not only select the best alignment over difficult terrain, but also unerringly point the way to water, acting as conduits for run-off rainwater directing it to the waterholes and ensuring that they fill more surely and rapidly. We create the waterholes in the first place and enlarge them every time we bathe, carrying away copious quantities of mud plastered to our huge bodies.

The puddling action of our giant feet seals the bottom against seepage, so that water lasts longer in the dry seasons benefiting all life and relieving feeding pressures near permanent sources. We also have the ability to expose hidden subsurface supplies buried deep beneath the sands of the dry riverbeds, making it accessible to others by tunnelling at an angle with our trunks.   
                      
Our sheer weight compresses the sand bringing water closer to the surface as dozens of elephants patiently await their turn to drink from these holes. Were we not there to fulfil this function, all water dependent species would not be able to exist in such places - a case in point being the Tiva river in Tsavo, which literally died faunally when the elephants left.

We provide in other ways too, breaking down branches to bring browse to a lower level, thereby making it accessible to the many smaller creatures that share their world. By felling trees we create the space that allows seedlings to take root and grow uninhibited by their parents' shadow.

The very rapid metabolism of my copious quantities of dung, is the very life support for the largest scarabs, who roll it into balls and bury it deep below the ground, thereby enriching the soil. The dung also attracts the insects that nourish a host of insectivorous birds, mammals and reptiles and because elephants have such an inefficient digestive system, it is particularly rich.

Local people also depend on us being one of Africa’s ‘big five’. I am  a popular sight for tourists. This brings benefits to local people – ecotourism can be an important source of income for them.

By helping protect me and my family you will be helping conserve your habitat, supporting local communities, and making sure natural resources are available for generations to come.

DEAR POACHER  why do you behave as if you don't know my use?
by killing and selling a part of me what do you think you will have achieved?
In the end you make me a scarce resource and destroy the same environment you live in i have helped look that way!



STOP KILLING ME!!!!