Asia is one of the continents that is known to have a close association with elephants over many centuries, and elephants have become important cultural icons. According to Hindu mythology, the gods (deva) and the demons (asura) churned the oceans in a search for the elixir of life so that they would become immortal. As they did so, nine jewels surfaced, one of which was the elephant. In Hinduism, the powerful deity honored before all sacred rituals is the elephant-headed Lord Ganesha, who is also called the Remover of Obstacles.
Asian elephants are extremely sociable, forming groups of six to seven related females that are led by the oldest female, the matriarch. Elephants help maintain forest and savanna ecosystems for other species and are integrally tied to rich biodiversity. They are the most important ecosystem engineers. They make pathways in dense forested habitat that allow passage for other animals. An elephant footprint can also enable a micro-ecosystem that, when filled with water, can provide home for tadpoles and other organisms.
Unfortunately, more than 100 Asian elephants are poached each year for their skin and tusk, there are others that are hunted down when they break into farms in search of food.
Today, less than 40,000 Asian Elephants are left in the wild and the number has massively decreased in last three generations. Trankebar along with Wildlife SOS is trying to save these beautiful creatures.
The elephants you see on our boxes represent our partnership with Wildlife SOS to make the lives of Asian Elephants. Lets do our bit in saving these magnificent creatures.