Elephants, in general, have been experiencing many difficulties in sustaining stable and healthy populations due to several factors of climate change that contribute to their illnesses and deaths. Essentially, they are unable to escape the changes to their habitat that are caused by global warming. Even the smallest of changes could potentially wipe out an entire population of elephants.
The ideal temperature for elephants is approximately 23 degrees Celsius. Otherwise, they may become quite vulnerable to the environment. In fact, in a recent study in Myanmar, most of the deaths of elephants occurred when the temperature was above 24 degrees Celsius.
The younger elephants (also known as the calves) are far more likely to be harmed by extreme changes in our climate as they move out of maximum temperatures to escape the heat, thus doubling their mortality risk. The decline in the populations of calves and offspring is disastrous for elephant populations worldwide. Since calves reproduce late in life, there is a high probability of death before mating season, causing a lack of reproduction.
Unfortunately, climate projections show temperatures continuing to rise (especially in regions that contain elephant populations. For example, the average temperature of Myanmar in South Asia is expected to rise up to 3 degrees Celsius over the next 30 to 40 years.) In addition, these projections have shown fewer months of monsoon. (Monsoon is a seasonal prevailing wind that is essential for maintaining a steady climate in many parties of Africa and Asia.) These dryer months could prove to be fatal for the elephants.
Ultimately, changes in our temperature and rainfall are the two largest contributing factors to the negative impacts on elephants. A more detailed list of climate change's potential dangers on our elephants include:
-more frequent & longer dry periods
-increase in temperature creates difficulties for the growth of the elephant's dietary plants & fruits, thus reducing their food supply
-limited drinking & bathing water due to global warming (water supply dries up) causes elephants to go ill
-tusks may become damaged or completely broken off when forced to dig for water sources
-sunburnt skin due to lack of moisture
-less rainfall due to global warming causes fewer mating seasons, hence the lower populations
-changes in the environment can increase the stress levels of male elephants, leading to dangerous levels of aggression
-drought & excessive heat can cause freshwater supplies to decrease, resulting in the rapid spread of infectious diseases and heat stroke
Due to uncertainties regarding how elephants will adapt to our Earth's change in climate, it has been becoming increasingly difficult to accurately predict the fate of the elephants. However, studying these effects could actually provide insight into humans reactions to our changing climate as well, since the life spans of elephants are quite similar to those of humans.
The ideal temperature for elephants is approximately 23 degrees Celsius. Otherwise, they may become quite vulnerable to the environment. In fact, in a recent study in Myanmar, most of the deaths of elephants occurred when the temperature was above 24 degrees Celsius.
The younger elephants (also known as the calves) are far more likely to be harmed by extreme changes in our climate as they move out of maximum temperatures to escape the heat, thus doubling their mortality risk. The decline in the populations of calves and offspring is disastrous for elephant populations worldwide. Since calves reproduce late in life, there is a high probability of death before mating season, causing a lack of reproduction.
Unfortunately, climate projections show temperatures continuing to rise (especially in regions that contain elephant populations. For example, the average temperature of Myanmar in South Asia is expected to rise up to 3 degrees Celsius over the next 30 to 40 years.) In addition, these projections have shown fewer months of monsoon. (Monsoon is a seasonal prevailing wind that is essential for maintaining a steady climate in many parties of Africa and Asia.) These dryer months could prove to be fatal for the elephants.
Ultimately, changes in our temperature and rainfall are the two largest contributing factors to the negative impacts on elephants. A more detailed list of climate change's potential dangers on our elephants include:
-more frequent & longer dry periods
-increase in temperature creates difficulties for the growth of the elephant's dietary plants & fruits, thus reducing their food supply
-limited drinking & bathing water due to global warming (water supply dries up) causes elephants to go ill
-tusks may become damaged or completely broken off when forced to dig for water sources
-sunburnt skin due to lack of moisture
-less rainfall due to global warming causes fewer mating seasons, hence the lower populations
-changes in the environment can increase the stress levels of male elephants, leading to dangerous levels of aggression
-drought & excessive heat can cause freshwater supplies to decrease, resulting in the rapid spread of infectious diseases and heat stroke
Due to uncertainties regarding how elephants will adapt to our Earth's change in climate, it has been becoming increasingly difficult to accurately predict the fate of the elephants. However, studying these effects could actually provide insight into humans reactions to our changing climate as well, since the life spans of elephants are quite similar to those of humans.