Today is #EndangeredSpecies day, a day when thousands of people around the world participate by celebrating, learning about, and taking action to protect threatened and endangered species.
We wanted to take the opportunity to shine a light on our favourite animal here at Howdah, the beautiful Asian Elephant. Elephants are 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 a home for tadpoles and other organisms. They help maintain biodiversity and integrity of the ecosystems they inhabit.
Elephants also have social behaviours just like us, and they bond easily. They cuddle and touch one another by entwining their trunks, with their relationships possibly last for a lifetime. However, this amazing, intelligent creature is one of many endangered species and face several threats including habitat destruction, illegal poaching for the ivory trade and human-elephant conflict.
Not only is the elephant essential to its environment, it is also an important cultural symbol. In Indian mythology, the elephant stands as a symbol of wisdom and strength. They denote a person with immense intellectual depth and physical sturdiness. It also symbolises patience to achieve the goal no matter how daunting it may be. Elephants also symbolise loyalty, reliability, and dignity.
Our founder, Falu, thought that these gentle giants would be the perfect on our packs to represent Howdah and our ethics. We have learnt a lot from them and lead our business inspired by what they represent.
Support WWF’s work protecting Asian Elephants by getting involved in their campaigning and fundraising.
Sign WWF’s petition to stop illegal poaching of Elephants for ivory: https://support.worldwildlife.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=664&_ga=2.15556850.516032333.1652089554-484132497.1651583764