What is Elephant Poo Poo Paper?

There are two main species of elephant, each with several subspecies:

1. African Elephant:
- African Bush Elephant
- African Forest Elephant

2. Asian Elephant:
- Sri Lankan Elephant
- Indian (or Mainland) Elephant
- Sumatran Elephant
- Borneo (Pygmy) Elephant

The African elephant is known by:

- larger ears
- larger general size
- straighter shaped back
- tusks on both males and females
- 2 finger-like protrusions at the end of the trunk
- 4 toes on the front feet & 3 on the back

The Asian elephant can be distinguished by:

- smaller ears
- smaller general size
- arched back
- tusks usually only on males
- one protrusion at the end of the trunk
- 5 toes on the front feet & 4 on the back

Some interesting facts about the elephant are:

1. Elephants are the largest land animals.
2. They have the longest gestation period of any land animal - 22 months.
3. Elephants are herbivores.
4. Elephants live in structured, orderly families.
5. Elephants are intelligent.
6. They're emotional.
7. They interact with their environment in important ways.

Elephants are meaningful creatures. They're honored and revered in many cultures and form a vital component to some religions. Even if they're not associated with deep belief systems, elephants still hold symbolic meaning for many people.

Some common symbolic meanings associated with the elephant include:

1. Wisdom
2. Strength or power
3. Gentleness
4. Stability
5. Patience
6. Stubbornness
7. Fortune or good luck
8. Benevolence
9. Dignity
10. Longevity; even eternal life
11. Ability to overcome obstacles
12. Royalty
13. Loyalty
14. Protection
15. Good memory
16. Social intelligence
17. Prosperity
18. Success
19. Sustenance of life

The most significant practices that endanger and/or mistreat elephants are:

1. Hunting for ivory.
2. Sport hunting.
3. Loss of habitat.
4. Confinement in circuses and zoos.

Simply stated, the Elephant Poo Poo Paper Company uses elephant dung (love the poo picture!) to make paper, which is then used to make products like journals, note paper and stationery. These products make great gifts for any occasion, and when they're sold, a portion of each sale goes toward elephant welfare and conservation programs.

Check out the paper making process below . . .

Basically, elephant dung is collected, rinsed and boiled. Natural fibers are added. Cakes are formed and spread over a mesh-bottomed tray. The cakes are dried naturally in the sun. When the cakes are dry, the paper products are made.

If you'd like to read this in bigger text and get the whole process, visit the Elephant Poo Poo Paper website.

Well, no one is sure, exactly. It's a complex issue involving humans, elephants, land, other aspects of the environment, greed, money, desire for ivory, and many other elements.

At a 2006 meeting of 13 Asian countries, Ajay Desai, co-chair of the World Conservation Union's Species Survival Commission, said, "There was a need for long-term land use planning strategies taking into account the species' biological needs; otherwise we shall keep seeing the elimination of elephant populations in large parts of its range" (Animal Planet News).

But . . . we can all play a part, as small as it seems. And by making wise choices in terms of purchases, we can move toward a better future for the elephant.