The Disappearance of Asian Elephants Puts Tropical Forests at Risk! The Threads of the Forest Woven by Giants — What Breaks When Asian Elephants Disappear

1. Introduction: The Giant Weaving the Forest - When the Asian Elephant Disappeared

In the tropical forests of Asia, the footprints of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) are more than mere tracks. With each step that pushes aside the hard roots of trees, the soil is stirred, seeds are transported far away, and small mammals avoiding the herd find new pathways. Recent studies have revealed that the very presence of this "giant" elevates the resilience of the entire mammalian community.phys.org

2. Research Summary: Insights from 9,822 Camera Trap Events

A research team from the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden in China set up camera traps across Yunnan Province from 2017 to 2021, capturing a total of 9,822 independent events. Although elephants appeared in only 78 of these, areas where elephants were present showed 6,001 mammal events compared to 3,821 in non-elephant areas, indicating a significant difference. Network analysis revealed that areas with elephants had complex and stable connections between nodes (species), with a notable increase in the population of ungulates and primates.phys.org

3. The "Ecosystem Buffer" Created by Elephants

Elephants knock down trees, trample grass, and consume fruits. These seemingly "destructive" actions actually promote gap regeneration, create a mosaic of light environments, and enhance plant diversity. As a result, food resources diversify, allowing medium to small mammals to secure "refuges"—this is the mechanism that fosters network resilience. Researchers warn that the decline of large herbivores is the first strike in an invisible domino effect.phys.org

4. Good News and Challenges from Cambodia

Meanwhile, DNA analysis conducted in three protected areas in northern Cambodia reported an estimated 51 elephants, which is more abundant and genetically diverse than previously assumed.apnews.com

"With proper protection and habitat maintenance, recovery is highly feasible," says the research team. However, they also point out the risk of young herds being fragmented and genetic exchange being interrupted if deforestation and road construction due to economic development continue.

5. The "Light and Shadow" of Social Media: Dissemination and Misunderstanding

5-1. Risks Induced by Viral Videos

A study by the Oklahoma City Zoo analyzing about 500 elephant tourism videos posted on YouTube found that videos where people approached within 10 meters received higher views and "likes," with frequent occurrences of stress behaviors in elephants (such as raising their heads high and spreading their ears).visitokc.com

5-2. Bias in Twitter/X Discussions

An analysis of tweets from 2022 showed that posts addressing the most critical threats to elephant conservation, such as "habitat loss" and "human-elephant conflict," accounted for less than 1% of the total. In contrast, sensational and distant topics like elephant rides for tourism and trophy hunting were more prominent.phys.org

5-3. The Expanding Real-Time Voices

The following are excerpts from Japanese social media observed at the time of writing this article (July 8, 2025), with user IDs omitted and content formatted without altering the meaning.

• "I didn't know Asian elephants were the 'gardeners' protecting the forest! They're my new favorite starting today."

• "Tourists getting too close stresses elephants → the video goes viral → they get closer again... it's a negative loop."

• "If tropical forests' CO₂ absorption is related to elephants, we should invest in them as a climate change measure."

6. Testimonies from the Field: Between the Forest, Elephants, and Humans

• Tea Farmer in Pu'er, Yunnan Province: "Elephants sometimes ravage the fields, but if the forest is healthy, the water source for the entire village is protected. Coexistence should be possible if compensation and education are balanced."

• Cambodian Forest Ranger: "The DNA survey showed an increase in numbers, but poachers' traps are also increasing. We lack funds and equipment."

• Sri Lankan Eco-Tour Guide: "I wish tourists would adhere to the '10-meter rule.' Beautiful photos can still be taken from afar with zoom lenses and drones."

7. Reevaluation in the Context of SDGs and Climate Change

• SDG 15 "Life on Land": As a "keystone species," elephants support ecosystem services on multiple levels.

• SDG 13 "Climate Action": The foraging and trampling by large herbivores could impact carbon stock levels and fire risk.

• Natural Capital Finance: Initiatives to incorporate a "Mega Herbivore Premium" into the REDD+ framework are underway.

8. Technological Solutions

1. AI Image Recognition: Detects elephant behavior and stress signals in real-time, issuing alerts in tourist areas.

2. Blockchain-based Carbon Credits: Issuing tokens to companies investing in forest management that coexists with elephants.

3. Drones & eDNA: Non-invasively monitoring population and genetic diversity from the air and water.

9. Conclusion: To Preserve a Future Where Giants Walk

Protecting the Asian elephant is not merely an act of saving a single species. It is the "stitch" that saves the fabric of the entire forest from unraveling. The resilience of mammalian networks demonstrated by research, signs of recovery in Cambodia, and the dual-edged power of social media dissemination—how these are woven together will be the litmus test for the post-2020 biodiversity framework.