There are many differences between humans and animals. Unfortunately, people have
made it a point to capitalize on these differences, deligating animals to a sector of being that is below them. We use animals to pull heavy carriages, serve as the test subjects to our experiments, and of course, we use many animals for food, clothing, and other products. That perceived difference plays a crucial role in all of these things, after all, if we knew animals were just like us, would we subject them to such painful lives? Well, it turns out, that humans and animals aren’t so different after all. We may look different, but we possess similar sympathetic systems that enable us to all feel joy, fear, and pain. We all have basic social constructs and spend part of our lives with a dedicated family unit.
made it a point to capitalize on these differences, deligating animals to a sector of being that is below them. We use animals to pull heavy carriages, serve as the test subjects to our experiments, and of course, we use many animals for food, clothing, and other products. That perceived difference plays a crucial role in all of these things, after all, if we knew animals were just like us, would we subject them to such painful lives? Well, it turns out, that humans and animals aren’t so different after all. We may look different, but we possess similar sympathetic systems that enable us to all feel joy, fear, and pain. We all have basic social constructs and spend part of our lives with a dedicated family unit.
When it really comes down to it, the things that we have in common with animals far outnumber those we don’t. Most importantly, recognizing and respecting these similarities are key to the proper function of our global ecosystem. If we remove one being from the intricate web of living things, it has a ripple effect that can negatively impact the entire whole.
Just take what is happening to elephants for example. It’s estimated that one African elephant is killed every 15 minutes for their ivory tusks. At this rate, many scientists believe that wild elephants will be extinct within the next 20 years. While the loss of these gorgeous animals is a tragedy in and of itself, it has a huge impact on their environment. Elephants are considered the architects of their habitat. Animals are responsible for up to 95 percent of seed dispersion over wind or water and elephants play a huge role in this. Decreasing or completely losing the tree species that rely on elephants not only is an issue for the balance of our flora, it also affects the herbivores that feed and live in these trees such as bats, birds, insects and other mammals. Their deep footprints provide welcome “watering holes” for smaller animals, and the presence of elephants indicates the health of an ecosystem. It might not seem like it, but without a healthy, thriving ecosystem, animals aren’t the only ones who suffer – humans do as well.
While many humans are content to view elephants as valuable commodities for their ivory, there are many others who recognize the inherent worth and value of these animals – and with that, they are fighting to ensure they do not disappear from the face of the earth. David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) is made up of these courageous individuals who dare to see animals as family.
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