The Endangered and the Extinct Nov. 2013 | Page 9

In 2004 WWF Tesso Nilo national park made significant progress towards the protection of the elephant’s habitat.

The Tesso Nilo national park is one of the last forests that is large enough to contain the Sumatran elephants and also the Sumatran tigers.

Reason and cause of endangerment endangeremnt

How are organizations helping?

More than two thirds of Sumatra’s lowland forest were cut down in the past 25 years. The main reason is because of deforestation resulting in habitat loss.

Around 70% of the elephant’s habitat has been destroyed. Due to the deforestation of Sumatra, elephants have been in contact with the human.

The elephants would raid food supplies, destroy homes and might hurt and kill people. Those who were affected might poison and kill the elephants.

Poaching of the Sumatran elephants is mainly aimed at the male because they are the only ones with the tusks.

Although Sumatran elephants are hunted for their ivory they are also hunted for their meat.