When
people set aside land to preserve much-loved species
like elephants, they also preserve the habitat for the
very many other forms of life that occupy these zones.
In just one park in Sri Lanka (Kaudulla), there are 85
species of mammals and 375 species of birds. Moreover,
even those numbers look small when compared to the
thousands of unique species of mushrooms, ferns,
fruiting trees, and the teeming forms of microscopic
life that live in this unique ecosystem.
In a
way, the elephant is a flagship species that is leading
the way in a win-win system of wildlife conservation.
People in Asia, and all around the world, fall in love
with elephants and work to preserve habitat for them.
And fortunately, by doing this, their efforts help to
preserve the rest of all this wonderful life at the same
time.
In this
way, the elephant can be said to be leaving a truly
wonderful footprint!