Elephant family in Amboseli National Park, Kenya

© Ibrahim Suha Derbent/Getty Image

Elephants in Amboseli National Park, Kenya

Being the largest land animals on Earth, African elephants—similarly to their Asian relatives—show extraordinary qualities in their appearance and behaviours. Some studies revealed, for example, that elephants can recognise themselves in the mirror; that baby elephants change their first set of tusks and teeth; or that these mammals display emotions such as grief when losing their family members. The list of surprising and wonderful facts is never-ending. But unfortunately, there is also a list of difficulties that these animals face, such as poaching and habitat loss. The Amboseli National Park in Kenya—where this photograph was taken—is one of the few remaining habitats where African elephant herds can still be found in large numbers.