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 …showed first 75 words of 260 total…

…showed last 75 words of 260 total…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.