African bush elephant podcast

The speaker begins by talking about a missionary who advertises civilization to the native population. The speaker expresses their contentment with living in the jungle and their disdain for the trappings of civilization. They mention a magazine that shows the negative aspects of civilization, such as car accidents. The speaker also talks about the contrast between the crowded and smoky iron train and the beauty of the African savannah. They then discuss the importance of African elephants in the ecosystem and the threats they face, such as poaching and habitat loss. The speaker emphasizes the need for protection and conservation efforts to save the African elephant population. They mention the Savannah Elephant Conservation Act and the collaboration between African countries and U.S. agencies. The speaker calls for collective action and support to ensure a better future for these creatures. Each morning a missionary advertises me on sign, he tells the native population that civilization is fine, and three educated salvages holler from a bumble tree, that civilization is the thing for me to do. So bongo, bongo, bongo, I don't want to leave the Congo, no, no, no, no, no. Bingo, bango, bongo, I'm so happy in the jungle I refuse to go. Don't want no bright lights, false teeth, doorbells, landlords, I make it clear. No matter how they coax him, I'll stay right here. I look through a magazine the missionary's wife conceals. Magazine? What happens? I see how people who are civilized bung you with automobiles. You know you can get hurt that way, Daniel? At the movies they have got to pay many coconuts to see. What do they see, Donny? Uncivilized bitches up the noose, real fakes of me. So bongo, bongo, bongo, he don't want to leave the Congo, no, no, no, no, no. Bingo, bango, bongo, he's so happy in the jungle he refuses to go. Don't want no penthouse, bathtubs, streetcars, taxis, noise in my ears. So no matter how they coax him, I'll stay right here. They hurry like carpenters to get aboard an iron train. They drink a limbu hula, humble express. And though it's smoky and it's crowded. And not much change in temperature. It's when the white-tailed forest comes in from the southeast. This weather report has come to you from the government weather bureau. We take you now to... What do you mean, guess? What do you mean, preservation? English project three? Can it wait? We take you now to a self-proclaimed animal expert for a brief message. I'll get paid enough for this. Hey, buddy. Can you spare a dime? Once in khaki suit. Archie, we look swell. All of that Yankee doo-doo-dee-dah. Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to address you all for a moment. Or should I say, right quickly? You'll get that one in a second. But first, how about a change of scenery? Here is the deep savannahs of Africa. African bush elephants reside. Colossal yet modest mammoths. Pillars to the African savannah ecosystems. Here we bring you one of these spines of a specimen. Roughly six to seven tons and up to four meters in height. Armed with elongated incisor tusks, they're versatile chunks and over 40,000 muscles are utilized in the day-to-day. As such large herbivores, they shape landscapes by feeding on trees and bushes, which helps maintain a diverse range of habitats that support numerous other species. Being able to lift a whopping 6,000 kilograms, they truly are the mildest mammals. The most stalwart animal across the globe, even. If you're lucky, you might spot one on a stroll through Cougar National Park. Their size is, of course, comparative to their appetite. 150 kilograms a day can satisfy their cravings. They often gather in packs, led by the model monarch, matriarch. Besides having a major cultural and spiritual influence in Africa, they're considered key food species that boost biodiversity beyond match. Sadly, it's not always sunny here in the savannas of Africa. The savanna elephant population dwindles by the decade due to many atrocities caused by the man himself. Poaching. Habitat loss. Recent urbanization, to name a few. I'm afraid to say, without protection, they could fall extinct. Kusk, one of their greatest assets, might also be their undoing. Kusk attracts numerous poachers, particularly in the suburban regions that... Well, you get the picture. A hit to one of these demurred mammals is a hit to an entire species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has labeled those vulnerable. In danger, if you were so inclined. Not long ago, the Savannah Elephant Conservation Act had been created to aid these poor creatures. Its goal was to protect African elephant populations through funds, since many countries in Africa are under-resourced and cannot maintain a large population of savanna elephants. Over 37 African countries have collaborated with national governments and U.S. agencies in order to prevent hunting while minimizing human-elephant interactions. Sadly, this has not been enough. As it is now, Africa still is greatly under-resourced. A population formerly in a million centuries ago is now only a few thousand short of becoming endangered. I'm here to inform you all that it is up to us to determine your fate. I know it may seem paradoxical that such grand creatures will require our assistance, but as things stand, we must act. Many acts have been made to aid this cause, but it cannot be a single effort. It will take an assemblage for a better life for these creatures, and subsequently other species. Contribution through any means, whether endowment or recognition, will help to aid this cause. Since America's creation of the World Wide Web, you can access the Wildlife Conservation Network, or travel to the Wildlife Conservation Center down in San Francisco. Any penny counts. Next week, we dive into the great manifold of reasons each household should get hold of puppies. This has been- Okay, your time's up, pal. Beat it. Yeah, that guy's one very short of a fruit basket. If I hear another thing about Elson, I'm gonna- Wait, is this thing on?