Their feet are flat because of a large pad of gristle under each heel which acts as a shock absorber and helps them walk quietly. Their feet are also quite suitable for their lifestyle, which involves walking long distances.

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An elephant's brain weighs around 11 pounds and is the largest brain of any land animal. This allows for greater mental capacity, which is why they're so intelligent.

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    For the past year, it seemed like nothing would go right for African elephants. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) revealed in a report that in 2012, 22,000 elephants were killed in Africa. 22,000 in one year alone. In that same report, it was estimated that if the rate at which elephants were being killed remained pretty much the same for the next 10 years, then 20% of Africa's elephants would be wiped out. That is a huge decrease in an already dwindling population. Though many local communities in Africa took certain measures to lower the amount of killings that were occurring, there continued to be little response from the international community.
    Many people thought that poaching was getting out of control and that little could be done to stop it. Now, that has all changed. Nations around the world are finally taking action against this mindless killing. At the African Elephant Summit in Botswana, thirty nations signed an agreement to adopt fourteen measures to protect elephants and other wildlife crime victims. These measures include classifying wildlife trafficking as a serious crime, strengthening cross-border law enforcement, and reining in demand for ivory in Asia with information campaigns. One of the thirty nations to sign the agreement was China, which is the largest ivory consumer in the world. This is a huge step towards stopping the poaching of elephants and in turn, stopping the illegal ivory trade. Hopefully, these new international measures will turn the tide in the fight for elephants and finally give these amazing creatures a reprieve.

"A Voice for Elephants" is a blog that can be found on National Geographic's website. It is a great source of information about all the latest happenings in the world of elephants and the people who are trying to save them. It is also a great place for discussion and a rally point for all those who want to get involved in the fight for elephants. 

National Geographic has been inspiring people to care about the planet since 1888 with its informative articles and amazing photography. This year, National Geographic is celebrating its 125th anniversary of being a prominent resource for those trying to learn more about the world we live in and all of its inhabitants. Check out the December 2013 issue, "Our Greatest Journey," or visit its website by clicking on the button below. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!

Did you get the answer right? Congrats! If not, then go check out my website to learn more about these amazing creatures!