The West Lothian Courier has teamed up with Blair Drummond Safari Park to offer readers the chance to win a family pass for two adults and two children each week - and learn more about their residents at the same time.
August 12 marked World Elephant Day which aimed to highlight why these animals should be protected and what laws and measures can be enacted to ensure their survival.
There are many risks that elephants face, including illegal ivory trading, poaching, habitat loss, and increased human-animal conflict.
There are three recognised species of elephant - the Asian, the African forest and the African savanna .
Communications and education manager Jamie-Leigh Green said: “Here at the park, we are home to a 52-year-old African savanna elephant named Mondula (Mondy for short).
“It is estimated that African savanna elephants have suffered a 60 per cent decrease in population over the last 50 years and they are now classified as an endangered species, as are Asian elephants. African forest elephants are critically endangered, meaning they are now at an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
“African savanna elephants are the biggest species tony.marszol@icloud.com and have curving tusks, while the tusks of forest elephants are straight.
“Interestingly, the ears of both African species are shaped like the continent of Africa. Asian elephant ears are smaller and look a bit like the shape of the Indian subcontinent. Their ears help them regulate body temperature by radiating excess heat.
“Elephants are the biggest land mammals on earth, and our Mondy weighs in at just over four tons! They are also famous for their long trunks which contain around 150,000 muscle units and are capable of great strength.
“They are also capable of being very delicate with their trunks.
“African elephants have two ‘fingers’ at the tip of their trunk, dextrous enough to pick up a blade of grass.”
The safari park is open seven days a week from 10am -5.30pm Monday to Friday with 7pm closures on selected Saturdays and Sundays throughout August. Tickets can be booked online at blairdrummond.com.
For a chance to win a family pass, which can be used any one day during the opening season this year, just answer the following question:
How many muscle units are in an elephant’s trunk?
Send the coupon with the answer, name, address and contact number to: Safari Park Competition, West Lothian Courier, One Central Quay, Glasgow, G3 8DA. Deadline is Wednesday at 4pm.
Only original vouchers will be accepted.
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