Humans and Elephants

Explore the complex relationship between humans and elephants in this thought-provoking TEDx talk by Alex Leonard. Discover the unintended consequences of elephant tourism and learn about sustainable wildlife viewing practices. Journey through topics including the largest gathering of Asian elephants, the tragic story of Jokia, current elephant populations, and their role as ecosystem engineers. Examine the greatest threats to elephants, the impact of animal tourism, and the harm caused by elephant riding. Delve into signs of animal intelligence and the potential of community-based natural resource management. Gain insights on why elephant conservation matters and receive three actionable takeaways to make a difference. Presented by Alex Leonard, founder of AL Media and director of the award-winning documentary "Humans and Elephants," this talk offers a critical perspective on responsible wildlife tourism and conservation efforts.

00:00 - - TEDx Introduction
00:14 - - Earth's largest gathering of Asian elephants
01:11 - - Jokia's tragic story
02:59 - - Why Alex cares about elephants
03:42 - - Elephant populations today
04:26 - - Ecosystem Engineers
05:25 - - The greatest threats to elephants
06:06 - - The role of animal tourism
07:32 - - The harm in riding elephants
08:14 - - Signs of animal intelligence
10:27 - - Community-based natural resource management
13:51 - - Why should you care
15:10 - - Alex's 3 takeaway asks
16:37 - - The future for mammals Alex Leonard is the founder of AL Media, a Sustainable Media company that is Helping Brands Talk About Sustainability.