The Forest For The Trees (Asian Elephant)
A female Asian elephant steps gingerly through the forest underbrush, her trunk extended inquisitively. Her large body will carve pathways through the forest along routes where she and her herd frequently travel.
Mixed media drawing (Colored pencil, Molotow Marker) on paper.
10″x8″
Asian elephants are highly intelligent, with some experts arguing that they are self-aware. Studies have shown they possess cognitive abilities for tool use and even tool making. Their behaviors are remarkably complex, including grief, learning, mimicry, allmothering, altruism, play, compassion, cooperation, self-awareness, memory, and even language. They have a highly developed, convoluted neocortex—a trait shared by humans, apes, and certain dolphin species.
The Asian elephant is the largest land mammal in Asia, but its future is uncertain. Listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List since 1986, their population has declined by approximately 50% over the past 60–75 years. They face increasing threats from habitat loss, degradation, fragmentation, and poaching. Without stronger conservation efforts, this deeply intelligent and socially complex species risks disappearing from the wild.
