Sumatran Elephant

Photo by Junaidi Hanafiah

Taken in Indonesia

A critically endangered Sumatra elephant in the Conservation Response Unit (CRU), Sampoiniet, Aceh Province, Indonesia. Elephants are a keystone species. Other animals, plants and entire ecosystems rely on them for survival. Elephants are known as the 'constant gardeners.' Plants and trees rely on elephants to disperse their seeds far and wide through their dung. Elephants' large footprints act as water collectors for smaller animals.