10 selfish reasons to save elephants

Elephants can help humans live longer, healthier, happier lives. Help them, and we help ourselves

It sometimes feels as if we are living in the elephant's darkest hour. China may be closing down its domestic ivory trade and the EU getting to grips with smuggling, yet the poachers continue their bloody business. Meanwhile, forests are being destroyed, herds' migration routes are being blocked, and humans and elephants are competing ever more fiercely for land, food and water.

So this is a good time to point out that humans have plenty of selfish reasons to make space for elephants. It's not a question of giving them a free lunch: they can pay their own way.