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The '''elephants''' are three species of very large mammals belonging to the family Elephantidae - the only extant family belonging to the order Proboscidea. The three elephant species currently recognized  by scientists are the African [[Bush]] Elephant (''Loxodonta africana''), the African [[Forest]] Elephant (''Loxodonta cyclotis''), and the Asian, or Indian, Elephant (''Elephas maximus''). Centuries of hunting elephants for their ivory has dwindled the population of these animals. Renewed efforts at stewardship have caused a population boom, with the number of elephants in Africa alone tripling in the last decade.

The '''elephants''' are three species of very large mammals belonging to the family Elephantidae - the only extant family belonging to the order Proboscidea. The three elephant species currently recognized  by scientists are the African [[Bush]] Elephant (''Loxodonta africana''), the African [[Forest]] Elephant (''Loxodonta cyclotis''), and the Asian, or Indian, Elephant (''Elephas maximus''). Centuries of hunting elephants for their ivory has reducded the population of these animals. Renewed efforts at stewardship have caused a population boom, with the number of elephants in Africa alone tripling in the last decade.

Elephants are the largest land animals alive today. Apart from their massive size their most striking features are a long trunk, or proboscis, a flexible nose strong enough to lift objects, their huge [[ivory]] tusks, and their large flapping ears, used to keep them cool.

Elephants are the largest land animals alive today. Apart from their massive size their most striking features are a long trunk, or proboscis, a flexible nose strong enough to lift objects, their huge [[ivory]] tusks, and their large flapping ears, used to keep them cool.