African elephants are the largest land animals on Earth! Watch this video for an up-close look at these gentle giants.

Elephants live in matriarchies—communities made up of elephant mothers, sisters, and babies that work together to survive on the African savanna. These elephant matriarchies coordinate movement, care for one another and mourn the deaths of family members.

African elephants are threatened by the ivory trade. Ivory is a luxury item used in such materials as piano keys, billiard balls, and carved decorations. Ivory is made from the tusks, or long teeth, of African elephants. Thousands of elephants are poached or hunted illegally, every year.

Watch this video, from the National Geographic film Battle for the Elephants, and see if you can answer the questions in the “Questions” tab.