Summary of Requiem of a Heavy Weight

Summary of “Requiem for a Heavyweight” by Jim Merritt Jim Merritt’s essay “Requiem for a Heavyweight” explains how scientists have been learning about the life of the African elephant; just as this animal is becoming threatened by extinction. The bonds formed within an elephant family can last a lifetime that may span 60 or more years. Just in the last 20 years humans are beginning to understand how complex the elephant societies actually are. At this …

…ritual is very interesting. When mating the elephants rely on a vocal communication system. The male elephants play a key role in Africa’s ecology by consuming about 300 pounds of vegetation per day. The price of their ivory tusks climbed to about $100 a pound from 1960 to 1980. Poachers have diminished the African elephant’s population to a critical state. There are plans in progress in trying to end this tragedy but this will take some time.