Adopt an Elephant

Elephants are under threat.

African elephants are classed as critically endangered .

Over the past century, elephant numbers have decreased across much of their range. Elephants are killed for their tusks, and as human populations expand, habitat fragmentation and retaliatory killings for destroying crops pose more of a risk to wild elephants.

If we do not act, there is a very real risk that future generations will grow up in a world without wild elephants.

How your elephant adoption helps overseas

Recently we stepped in to save a large number of animals within a private reserve in South Africa from an almost certain death. The 11 elephants, 4 giraffes, 19 buffalo and 29 wildebeest were discovered at Blaauwbosch Private Game Reserve in a terrible condition. The animals had been left in a fenced area without water during a sustained period of drought.

The 11 elephants needed urgent care so they were darted and loaded by crane into transport crates. They are now living happy lives in peace and safety.

Caring for elephants in Kent

Our partner Howletts Wild Animal Park are home to 13 elephants, the largest herd in the UK. We are currently preparing to return them to their ancestral homelands in what will be the largest ever translocation of elephants, and we will keep you updated with this project.

Whilst we work towards their move, come and say goodbye to the elephants for free with your adoption (except Bronze).

Adopt an elephant with The Aspinall Foundation and help to protect endangered species.

Fun facts about elephants

• An elephant poos 12 to 15 times a day, producing around 100kgs of manure every day!
• The elephant's temporal lobe (the area of the brain associated with memory) is larger and denser than that of people - hence the saying 'elephants never forget'.
• Elephants recognise themselves in a mirror—something few animals are known to do.
• Elephant family members show signs of grief and may revisit the bones of the deceased for years, touching them with their trunks.
• Elephants are fond of water and enjoy showering by sucking water into their trunks and spraying it all over themselves. Afterwards, they often spray their skin with a protective coating of dust.
• At birth, a baby elephant can weigh 120kg - that’s almost 19 stone!
• Baby elephants lose their first set of teeth and tusks, just like humans
• Amazingly, elephant calves are able to stand within 20 minutes of being born and can walk within 1 hour. After two days, they can keep up with the herd.
• It takes a year for elephant calves to be able to control their trunks.