Endangered Species: The African elephant

species

A group of closely related organisms that are very similar to each other, capable of interbreeding and producing offspring.

poaching

illegal hunting, such as the killing of elephants for their tusks

extinct

(of a species, family, or other larger group) having no living members; completely vanished from the planet

mammal

Animal characterized by the five traits as follows: hair or fur, warm-blooded, young born alive, mammary glands and complex brain.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Green lands to the south of the Sahara Desert on the continent of Africa; home to the African elephant, gorilla, giraffe, zebra, baboon, and numerous other species

endangered

a species of animal or plant that is seriously at risk of extinction; species at more serious risk than vulnerable species; last category before extinct

herbivores

animals that mainly eat plants (not meat)

conservation

prevention of wasteful use of a resource; with animals, conservation includes protecting habitats in order to prolong the life of the species.

vulnerable

susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm; a species that will likely become endangered based on progressive habitat loss