2/11/2007 - The Elephants of Amboseli
The Amboseli elephants are the longest studied elephant population in the world. They have been studied for over 35 years and with the absence of culling and poaching, the population has slowly increased since the 1970's. The population presently numbers around 1,500. The elephants have all been named, numbered or coded and each can be recognized individually. The Amboseli population consists of 58 families. Researchers can identify each and every one of them by ear patterns and tusk characteristics. In Amboseli there are two enormous swamps that are the life-blood of the park. These swamps are home to many different species of animals, not just elephants. … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … From Amboseli National Park you are able to see one other great beauty. Mount Kilimanjaro..............The tallest free-standing mountain in the world, rising to 5,895 meters. The mountain which lies on two countries, Kenya in the north and Tanzania in the south plays a very important role of supplying the Amboseli swamps with a permanent, fresh supply of water. The glaciers on Mount Kilimanjaro are melting at an incredible rate and it is anticipated that by 2015 they may have gone. How this will affect the Amboseli ecosystem remains to be seen. … … …
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