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I recently went to the doctor with an inexplicable stomach pain that had persisted for several days. After a brief examination, he provided his diagnosis : "It's probably stress". I have to admit that I was disappointed with the verdict, as I was hoping that he would find a more concrete cause that could be easily resolved with the prescription of drugs. Instead, I was going to have to take a look at my life-style and try to make some changes. I do have a demanding new boss, and I have recently had a slight disagreement with a sibling, but I hadn't really considered myself to be stressed about either issue. When I think about it, I don't really know anybody who doesn't suffer from stress.

We all have problems that can make us feel stressed, but the difference is in how we manage that stress. Apparently, some of us are better at taking charge of our thoughts, feelings, schedule, and the way we deal with problems than others. Some people are able to remain calm and in control despite the demands and pressures of everyday life.

I went to talk to a life-style counsellor, who presented me with several suggestions. Firstly, I could try to take control of my environment by eliminating unnecessary stresses. Clearly, I wouldn't be able to eradicate my boss or my brother. However, I could avoid travelling in a crammed train carriage every morning by getting up 10 minutes earlier. I tried it for a few days, and surprisingly enough I already felt a lot more in control.

Secondly, I should try to adopt a healthier life-style. We all know that a healthy diet and regular exercise make us thinner and fitter, but I wasn't aware that they could also help to eliminate stress. I decided to start with some small changes, such as cutting out sweets and desserts, and taking the stairs instead of the lift. Again, I immediately felt that these small changes were making a positive difference.

Perhaps the most important advice of all was to learn to accept the things that I couldn't change. I started to think of my challenges as opportunities for personal growth. I would start to expect less of people and accept that no one is perfect, least of all myself.

A couple of days ago, I met with my friend Sandra and told her of the changes I had made to try to conquer my stress. I realised that talking and laughing about it with Sandra made me feel far better than any of my other actions. May be it's OK to be stressed as long as there is a friend to share it with.

I recently went to the doctor with an inexplicable stomach pain that had persisted for several days. After a brief examination, he provided his diagnosis : "It's probably stress". I have to admit that I was disappointed with the verdict, as I was hoping that he would find a more concrete cause that could be easily resolved with the prescription of drugs. Instead, I was going to have to take a look at my life-style and try to make some changes. I do have a demanding new boss, and I have recently had a slight disagreement with a sibling, but I hadn't really considered myself to be stressed about either issue. When I think about it, I don't really know anybody who doesn't suffer from stress.

We all have problems that can make us feel stressed, but the difference is in how we manage that stress. Apparently, some of us are better at taking charge of our thoughts, feelings, schedule, and the way we deal with problems than others. Some people are able to remain calm and in control despite the demands and pressures of everyday life.

I went to talk to a life-style counsellor, who presented me with several suggestions. Firstly, I could try to take control of my environment by eliminating unnecessary stresses. Clearly, I wouldn't be able to eradicate my boss or my brother. However, I could avoid travelling in a crammed train carriage every morning by getting up 10 minutes earlier. I tried it for a few days, and surprisingly enough I already felt a lot more in control.

Secondly, I should try to adopt a healthier life-style. We all know that a healthy diet and regular exercise make us thinner and fitter, but I wasn't aware that they could also help to eliminate stress. I decided to start with some small changes, such as cutting out sweets and desserts, and taking the stairs instead of the lift. Again, I immediately felt that these small changes were making a positive difference.

Perhaps the most important advice of all was to learn to accept the things that I couldn't change. I started to think of my challenges as opportunities for personal growth. I would start to expect less of people and accept that no one is perfect, least of all myself.

A couple of days ago, I met with my friend Sandra and told her of the changes I had made to try to conquer my stress. I realised that talking and laughing about it with Sandra made me feel far better than any of my other actions. May be it's OK to be stressed as long as there is a friend to share it with.

Though the U.S. prides itself on being a leader in the world community, a recent report shows that it lags far behind other industrialised countries in meeting the needs of its youngest and most vulnerable citizens. The U.S. has a higher infant mortality rate, a higher proportion of low birth- weight babies, a smaller proportion of babies immunized against childhood diseases and much higher rate of adolescent pregnancies.

These findings, described as a 'quiet crisis' requiring immediate and far- reaching action, appeared in a report prepared by a task force of educators, doctors, politicians and business people. According to the report, a fourth of the nation's 12 million infants and toddlers live in poverty. As many as half confront risk factors that could harm their ability to develop intellectually, physically and socially. Child immunization too is low, more children are born into poverty, more are in substandard care while their parents work and more are being raised by single parents. When taken together, these and other risk factors can lead to educational and health problems that are much harder and more costly to reverse. The crisis begins in the womb with unplanned parenthood. Women with unplanned pregnancies are less likely to seek pre- natal care. In the U.S., 80% of teenage pregnancies and 56% of all pregnancies are unplanned. The problems continue after birth when unplanned pregnancies and unstable partnerships often go hand in hand. Since 1950, the number of single parent families has nearly tripled. More than 25 percent of all births today are to unmarried mothers. As the number of single parent families grow and more women enter the work force, infants and toddlers are increasingly in the care of people other than their parents.

Most disturbingly, recent statistics show that American parents are increasingly neglecting or abusing their children. In only four years, 1987- 1991, the number of children in foster care increased by over 50 percent. Babies under the age of one are the fastest growing category of children entering foster care. The crisis affects children under the age of three most severely, the report says. Yet, it is this period from infancy through pre- school years that sets the stage for a child`s future.

Though the U.S. prides itself on being a leader in the world community, a recent report shows that it lags far behind other industrialised countries in meeting the needs of its youngest and most vulnerable citizens. The U.S. has a higher infant mortality rate, a higher proportion of low birth- weight babies, a smaller proportion of babies immunized against childhood diseases and much higher rate of adolescent pregnancies.

These findings, described as a 'quiet crisis' requiring immediate and far- reaching action, appeared in a report prepared by a task force of educators, doctors, politicians and business people. According to the report, a fourth of the nation's 12 million infants and toddlers live in poverty. As many as half confront risk factors that could harm their ability to develop intellectually, physically and socially. Child immunization too is low, more children are born into poverty, more are in substandard care while their parents work and more are being raised by single parents. When taken together, these and other risk factors can lead to educational and health problems that are much harder and more costly to reverse. The crisis begins in the womb with unplanned parenthood. Women with unplanned pregnancies are less likely to seek pre- natal care. In the U.S., 80% of teenage pregnancies and 56% of all pregnancies are unplanned. The problems continue after birth when unplanned pregnancies and unstable partnerships often go hand in hand. Since 1950, the number of single parent families has nearly tripled. More than 25 percent of all births today are to unmarried mothers. As the number of single parent families grow and more women enter the work force, infants and toddlers are increasingly in the care of people other than their parents.

Most disturbingly, recent statistics show that American parents are increasingly neglecting or abusing their children. In only four years, 1987- 1991, the number of children in foster care increased by over 50 percent. Babies under the age of one are the fastest growing category of children entering foster care. The crisis affects children under the age of three most severely, the report says. Yet, it is this period from infancy through pre- school years that sets the stage for a child`s future.

Though the U.S. prides itself on being a leader in the world community, a recent report shows that it lags far behind other industrialised countries in meeting the needs of its youngest and most vulnerable citizens. The U.S. has a higher infant mortality rate, a higher proportion of low birth- weight babies, a smaller proportion of babies immunized against childhood diseases and much higher rate of adolescent pregnancies.

These findings, described as a 'quiet crisis' requiring immediate and far- reaching action, appeared in a report prepared by a task force of educators, doctors, politicians and business people. According to the report, a fourth of the nation's 12 million infants and toddlers live in poverty. As many as half confront risk factors that could harm their ability to develop intellectually, physically and socially. Child immunization too is low, more children are born into poverty, more are in substandard care while their parents work and more are being raised by single parents. When taken together, these and other risk factors can lead to educational and health problems that are much harder and more costly to reverse. The crisis begins in the womb with unplanned parenthood. Women with unplanned pregnancies are less likely to seek pre- natal care. In the U.S., 80% of teenage pregnancies and 56% of all pregnancies are unplanned. The problems continue after birth when unplanned pregnancies and unstable partnerships often go hand in hand. Since 1950, the number of single parent families has nearly tripled. More than 25 percent of all births today are to unmarried mothers. As the number of single parent families grow and more women enter the work force, infants and toddlers are increasingly in the care of people other than their parents.

Most disturbingly, recent statistics show that American parents are increasingly neglecting or abusing their children. In only four years, 1987- 1991, the number of children in foster care increased by over 50 percent. Babies under the age of one are the fastest growing category of children entering foster care. The crisis affects children under the age of three most severely, the report says. Yet, it is this period from infancy through pre- school years that sets the stage for a child`s future.

Though the U.S. prides itself on being a leader in the world community, a recent report shows that it lags far behind other industrialised countries in meeting the needs of its youngest and most vulnerable citizens. The U.S. has a higher infant mortality rate, a higher proportion of low birth- weight babies, a smaller proportion of babies immunized against childhood diseases and much higher rate of adolescent pregnancies.

These findings, described as a 'quiet crisis' requiring immediate and far- reaching action, appeared in a report prepared by a task force of educators, doctors, politicians and business people. According to the report, a fourth of the nation's 12 million infants and toddlers live in poverty. As many as half confront risk factors that could harm their ability to develop intellectually, physically and socially. Child immunization too is low, more children are born into poverty, more are in substandard care while their parents work and more are being raised by single parents. When taken together, these and other risk factors can lead to educational and health problems that are much harder and more costly to reverse. The crisis begins in the womb with unplanned parenthood. Women with unplanned pregnancies are less likely to seek pre- natal care. In the U.S., 80% of teenage pregnancies and 56% of all pregnancies are unplanned. The problems continue after birth when unplanned pregnancies and unstable partnerships often go hand in hand. Since 1950, the number of single parent families has nearly tripled. More than 25 percent of all births today are to unmarried mothers. As the number of single parent families grow and more women enter the work force, infants and toddlers are increasingly in the care of people other than their parents.

Most disturbingly, recent statistics show that American parents are increasingly neglecting or abusing their children. In only four years, 1987- 1991, the number of children in foster care increased by over 50 percent. Babies under the age of one are the fastest growing category of children entering foster care. The crisis affects children under the age of three most severely, the report says. Yet, it is this period from infancy through pre- school years that sets the stage for a child`s future.

Though the U.S. prides itself on being a leader in the world community, a recent report shows that it lags far behind other industrialised countries in meeting the needs of its youngest and most vulnerable citizens. The U.S. has a higher infant mortality rate, a higher proportion of low birth- weight babies, a smaller proportion of babies immunized against childhood diseases and much higher rate of adolescent pregnancies.

These findings, described as a 'quiet crisis' requiring immediate and far- reaching action, appeared in a report prepared by a task force of educators, doctors, politicians and business people. According to the report, a fourth of the nation's 12 million infants and toddlers live in poverty. As many as half confront risk factors that could harm their ability to develop intellectually, physically and socially. Child immunization too is low, more children are born into poverty, more are in substandard care while their parents work and more are being raised by single parents. When taken together, these and other risk factors can lead to educational and health problems that are much harder and more costly to reverse. The crisis begins in the womb with unplanned parenthood. Women with unplanned pregnancies are less likely to seek pre- natal care. In the U.S., 80% of teenage pregnancies and 56% of all pregnancies are unplanned. The problems continue after birth when unplanned pregnancies and unstable partnerships often go hand in hand. Since 1950, the number of single parent families has nearly tripled. More than 25 percent of all births today are to unmarried mothers. As the number of single parent families grow and more women enter the work force, infants and toddlers are increasingly in the care of people other than their parents.

Most disturbingly, recent statistics show that American parents are increasingly neglecting or abusing their children. In only four years, 1987- 1991, the number of children in foster care increased by over 50 percent. Babies under the age of one are the fastest growing category of children entering foster care. The crisis affects children under the age of three most severely, the report says. Yet, it is this period from infancy through pre- school years that sets the stage for a child`s future.

Though the U.S. prides itself on being a leader in the world community, a recent report shows that it lags far behind other industrialised countries in meeting the needs of its youngest and most vulnerable citizens. The U.S. has a higher infant mortality rate, a higher proportion of low birth- weight babies, a smaller proportion of babies immunized against childhood diseases and much higher rate of adolescent pregnancies.

These findings, described as a 'quiet crisis' requiring immediate and far- reaching action, appeared in a report prepared by a task force of educators, doctors, politicians and business people. According to the report, a fourth of the nation's 12 million infants and toddlers live in poverty. As many as half confront risk factors that could harm their ability to develop intellectually, physically and socially. Child immunization too is low, more children are born into poverty, more are in substandard care while their parents work and more are being raised by single parents. When taken together, these and other risk factors can lead to educational and health problems that are much harder and more costly to reverse. The crisis begins in the womb with unplanned parenthood. Women with unplanned pregnancies are less likely to seek pre- natal care. In the U.S., 80% of teenage pregnancies and 56% of all pregnancies are unplanned. The problems continue after birth when unplanned pregnancies and unstable partnerships often go hand in hand. Since 1950, the number of single parent families has nearly tripled. More than 25 percent of all births today are to unmarried mothers. As the number of single parent families grow and more women enter the work force, infants and toddlers are increasingly in the care of people other than their parents.

Most disturbingly, recent statistics show that American parents are increasingly neglecting or abusing their children. In only four years, 1987- 1991, the number of children in foster care increased by over 50 percent. Babies under the age of one are the fastest growing category of children entering foster care. The crisis affects children under the age of three most severely, the report says. Yet, it is this period from infancy through pre- school years that sets the stage for a child`s future.

If I had been asked in my early youth whether I preferred to have dealings only with men or only with books, my answer would certainly have been in favour of books. In later years this has become less and less. Not that I have had much better experiences with men than with books; on the contrary delightful books even now come my way more often than purely delightful men. But the many bad experiences with men have nourished the meadow of my life as the noblest book could not do.

If I had been asked in my early youth whether I preferred to have dealings only with men or only with books, my answer would certainly have been in favour of books. In later years this has become less and less. Not that I have had much better experiences with men than with books; on the contrary delightful books even now come my way more often than purely delightful men. But the many bad experiences with men have nourished the meadow of my life as the noblest book could not do.

If I had been asked in my early youth whether I preferred to have dealings only with men or only with books, my answer would certainly have been in favour of books. In later years this has become less and less. Not that I have had much better experiences with men than with books; on the contrary delightful books even now come my way more often than purely delightful men. But the many bad experiences with men have nourished the meadow of my life as the noblest book could not do.

If I had been asked in my early youth whether I preferred to have dealings only with men or only with books, my answer would certainly have been in favour of books. In later years this has become less and less. Not that I have had much better experiences with men than with books; on the contrary delightful books even now come my way more often than purely delightful men. But the many bad experiences with men have nourished the meadow of my life as the noblest book could not do.

If I had been asked in my early youth whether I preferred to have dealings only with men or only with books, my answer would certainly have been in favour of books. In later years this has become less and less. Not that I have had much better experiences with men than with books; on the contrary delightful books even now come my way more often than purely delightful men. But the many bad experiences with men have nourished the meadow of my life as the noblest book could not do.

If I had been asked in my early youth whether I preferred to have dealings only with men or only with books, my answer would certainly have been in favour of books. In later years this has become less and less. Not that I have had much better experiences with men than with books; on the contrary delightful books even now come my way more often than purely delightful men. But the many bad experiences with men have nourished the meadow of my life as the noblest book could not do.

The sudden crack of a breaking branch in the distance interrupts the nightly symphony of cicadas and crickets in rural Thailand. Some might think it was a strong gust of wind, or may be a squirrel or a bird, but I know what`s coming. I hear people howling, yelling and clapping before the explosions of several firecrackers echo through the night. We are in a conflict zone, and amidst an invasion.

Branches break, crack and snap as they crash through the forest retreating from the explosions. The forest is silent. I hold my breath, feel for the button on my headlamp, and illuminate the forest edge. I`m not met with a criminal, an intruder, or "the enemy" but a herd of Asian elephants. This is human-elephant conflict (HEC). There are no winners, only losers, and both sides suffer similarly and equally because of it.

In the Thai regions where I work, elephants push down "permanent" barriers, drag logs onto the electric fences to cross without getting shocked, change their routes to avoid passing through sensored alarms, and slowly fill deep trenches with dirt, then work together to cross, leaving no member of the herd behind. While barriers and obstacles may be effective initially, they do not address the reason why the elephants are venturing into human-dominated landscapes in the first place. As HEC hotspots rise in Thailand, sustainable solutions that benefit both human and elephants are urgently needed.

Our team is investigating whether planting alternative crops can minimize the economic impact from crop depredation. Many might think farmers would sooner wish the elephants were gone than accept having to change their own practices and behavior, but this community is driven by a shared vision of coexistence between the humans and the elephants.

I can't imagine a world without elephants-an internationally admired symbol of strength, wealth and wisdom. A life without elephants does not mean these remarkable creatures would disappear from Asia's lush forests and Africa's vast savannas. Elephants are everywhere, from national flags to souvenir stands, corporate logos to cartoon characters, religious scriptures to the heart of every young student and volunteer who has told me that elephants are their favourite animal. Somehow, losing elephants means losing something bigger than the world`s biggest land mammal. I cannot think of anything else to which I would rather dedicate my life, than hearing the nightly symphony, uninterrupted by explosions, feeling peace throughout a former conflict zone, and seeing human-elephant conflict become human-elephant coexistence.

The sudden crack of a breaking branch in the distance interrupts the nightly symphony of cicadas and crickets in rural Thailand. Some might think it was a strong gust of wind, or may be a squirrel or a bird, but I know what`s coming. I hear people howling, yelling and clapping before the explosions of several firecrackers echo through the night. We are in a conflict zone, and amidst an invasion.

Branches break, crack and snap as they crash through the forest retreating from the explosions. The forest is silent. I hold my breath, feel for the button on my headlamp, and illuminate the forest edge. I`m not met with a criminal, an intruder, or "the enemy" but a herd of Asian elephants. This is human-elephant conflict (HEC). There are no winners, only losers, and both sides suffer similarly and equally because of it.

In the Thai regions where I work, elephants push down "permanent" barriers, drag logs onto the electric fences to cross without getting shocked, change their routes to avoid passing through sensored alarms, and slowly fill deep trenches with dirt, then work together to cross, leaving no member of the herd behind. While barriers and obstacles may be effective initially, they do not address the reason why the elephants are venturing into human-dominated landscapes in the first place. As HEC hotspots rise in Thailand, sustainable solutions that benefit both human and elephants are urgently needed.

Our team is investigating whether planting alternative crops can minimize the economic impact from crop depredation. Many might think farmers would sooner wish the elephants were gone than accept having to change their own practices and behavior, but this community is driven by a shared vision of coexistence between the humans and the elephants.

I can't imagine a world without elephants-an internationally admired symbol of strength, wealth and wisdom. A life without elephants does not mean these remarkable creatures would disappear from Asia's lush forests and Africa's vast savannas. Elephants are everywhere, from national flags to souvenir stands, corporate logos to cartoon characters, religious scriptures to the heart of every young student and volunteer who has told me that elephants are their favourite animal. Somehow, losing elephants means losing something bigger than the world`s biggest land mammal. I cannot think of anything else to which I would rather dedicate my life, than hearing the nightly symphony, uninterrupted by explosions, feeling peace throughout a former conflict zone, and seeing human-elephant conflict become human-elephant coexistence.

The sudden crack of a breaking branch in the distance interrupts the nightly symphony of cicadas and crickets in rural Thailand. Some might think it was a strong gust of wind, or may be a squirrel or a bird, but I know what`s coming. I hear people howling, yelling and clapping before the explosions of several firecrackers echo through the night. We are in a conflict zone, and amidst an invasion.

Branches break, crack and snap as they crash through the forest retreating from the explosions. The forest is silent. I hold my breath, feel for the button on my headlamp, and illuminate the forest edge. I`m not met with a criminal, an intruder, or "the enemy" but a herd of Asian elephants. This is human-elephant conflict (HEC). There are no winners, only losers, and both sides suffer similarly and equally because of it.

In the Thai regions where I work, elephants push down "permanent" barriers, drag logs onto the electric fences to cross without getting shocked, change their routes to avoid passing through sensored alarms, and slowly fill deep trenches with dirt, then work together to cross, leaving no member of the herd behind. While barriers and obstacles may be effective initially, they do not address the reason why the elephants are venturing into human-dominated landscapes in the first place. As HEC hotspots rise in Thailand, sustainable solutions that benefit both human and elephants are urgently needed.

Our team is investigating whether planting alternative crops can minimize the economic impact from crop depredation. Many might think farmers would sooner wish the elephants were gone than accept having to change their own practices and behavior, but this community is driven by a shared vision of coexistence between the humans and the elephants.

I can't imagine a world without elephants-an internationally admired symbol of strength, wealth and wisdom. A life without elephants does not mean these remarkable creatures would disappear from Asia's lush forests and Africa's vast savannas. Elephants are everywhere, from national flags to souvenir stands, corporate logos to cartoon characters, religious scriptures to the heart of every young student and volunteer who has told me that elephants are their favourite animal. Somehow, losing elephants means losing something bigger than the world`s biggest land mammal. I cannot think of anything else to which I would rather dedicate my life, than hearing the nightly symphony, uninterrupted by explosions, feeling peace throughout a former conflict zone, and seeing human-elephant conflict become human-elephant coexistence.

The sudden crack of a breaking branch in the distance interrupts the nightly symphony of cicadas and crickets in rural Thailand. Some might think it was a strong gust of wind, or may be a squirrel or a bird, but I know what`s coming. I hear people howling, yelling and clapping before the explosions of several firecrackers echo through the night. We are in a conflict zone, and amidst an invasion.

Branches break, crack and snap as they crash through the forest retreating from the explosions. The forest is silent. I hold my breath, feel for the button on my headlamp, and illuminate the forest edge. I`m not met with a criminal, an intruder, or "the enemy" but a herd of Asian elephants. This is human-elephant conflict (HEC). There are no winners, only losers, and both sides suffer similarly and equally because of it.

In the Thai regions where I work, elephants push down "permanent" barriers, drag logs onto the electric fences to cross without getting shocked, change their routes to avoid passing through sensored alarms, and slowly fill deep trenches with dirt, then work together to cross, leaving no member of the herd behind. While barriers and obstacles may be effective initially, they do not address the reason why the elephants are venturing into human-dominated landscapes in the first place. As HEC hotspots rise in Thailand, sustainable solutions that benefit both human and elephants are urgently needed.

Our team is investigating whether planting alternative crops can minimize the economic impact from crop depredation. Many might think farmers would sooner wish the elephants were gone than accept having to change their own practices and behavior, but this community is driven by a shared vision of coexistence between the humans and the elephants.

I can't imagine a world without elephants-an internationally admired symbol of strength, wealth and wisdom. A life without elephants does not mean these remarkable creatures would disappear from Asia's lush forests and Africa's vast savannas. Elephants are everywhere, from national flags to souvenir stands, corporate logos to cartoon characters, religious scriptures to the heart of every young student and volunteer who has told me that elephants are their favourite animal. Somehow, losing elephants means losing something bigger than the world`s biggest land mammal. I cannot think of anything else to which I would rather dedicate my life, than hearing the nightly symphony, uninterrupted by explosions, feeling peace throughout a former conflict zone, and seeing human-elephant conflict become human-elephant coexistence.

The sudden crack of a breaking branch in the distance interrupts the nightly symphony of cicadas and crickets in rural Thailand. Some might think it was a strong gust of wind, or may be a squirrel or a bird, but I know what`s coming. I hear people howling, yelling and clapping before the explosions of several firecrackers echo through the night. We are in a conflict zone, and amidst an invasion.

Branches break, crack and snap as they crash through the forest retreating from the explosions. The forest is silent. I hold my breath, feel for the button on my headlamp, and illuminate the forest edge. I`m not met with a criminal, an intruder, or "the enemy" but a herd of Asian elephants. This is human-elephant conflict (HEC). There are no winners, only losers, and both sides suffer similarly and equally because of it.

In the Thai regions where I work, elephants push down "permanent" barriers, drag logs onto the electric fences to cross without getting shocked, change their routes to avoid passing through sensored alarms, and slowly fill deep trenches with dirt, then work together to cross, leaving no member of the herd behind. While barriers and obstacles may be effective initially, they do not address the reason why the elephants are venturing into human-dominated landscapes in the first place. As HEC hotspots rise in Thailand, sustainable solutions that benefit both human and elephants are urgently needed.

Our team is investigating whether planting alternative crops can minimize the economic impact from crop depredation. Many might think farmers would sooner wish the elephants were gone than accept having to change their own practices and behavior, but this community is driven by a shared vision of coexistence between the humans and the elephants.

I can't imagine a world without elephants-an internationally admired symbol of strength, wealth and wisdom. A life without elephants does not mean these remarkable creatures would disappear from Asia's lush forests and Africa's vast savannas. Elephants are everywhere, from national flags to souvenir stands, corporate logos to cartoon characters, religious scriptures to the heart of every young student and volunteer who has told me that elephants are their favourite animal. Somehow, losing elephants means losing something bigger than the world`s biggest land mammal. I cannot think of anything else to which I would rather dedicate my life, than hearing the nightly symphony, uninterrupted by explosions, feeling peace throughout a former conflict zone, and seeing human-elephant conflict become human-elephant coexistence.

The sudden crack of a breaking branch in the distance interrupts the nightly symphony of cicadas and crickets in rural Thailand. Some might think it was a strong gust of wind, or may be a squirrel or a bird, but I know what`s coming. I hear people howling, yelling and clapping before the explosions of several firecrackers echo through the night. We are in a conflict zone, and amidst an invasion.

Branches break, crack and snap as they crash through the forest retreating from the explosions. The forest is silent. I hold my breath, feel for the button on my headlamp, and illuminate the forest edge. I`m not met with a criminal, an intruder, or "the enemy" but a herd of Asian elephants. This is human-elephant conflict (HEC). There are no winners, only losers, and both sides suffer similarly and equally because of it.

In the Thai regions where I work, elephants push down "permanent" barriers, drag logs onto the electric fences to cross without getting shocked, change their routes to avoid passing through sensored alarms, and slowly fill deep trenches with dirt, then work together to cross, leaving no member of the herd behind. While barriers and obstacles may be effective initially, they do not address the reason why the elephants are venturing into human-dominated landscapes in the first place. As HEC hotspots rise in Thailand, sustainable solutions that benefit both human and elephants are urgently needed.

Our team is investigating whether planting alternative crops can minimize the economic impact from crop depredation. Many might think farmers would sooner wish the elephants were gone than accept having to change their own practices and behavior, but this community is driven by a shared vision of coexistence between the humans and the elephants.

I can't imagine a world without elephants-an internationally admired symbol of strength, wealth and wisdom. A life without elephants does not mean these remarkable creatures would disappear from Asia's lush forests and Africa's vast savannas. Elephants are everywhere, from national flags to souvenir stands, corporate logos to cartoon characters, religious scriptures to the heart of every young student and volunteer who has told me that elephants are their favourite animal. Somehow, losing elephants means losing something bigger than the world`s biggest land mammal. I cannot think of anything else to which I would rather dedicate my life, than hearing the nightly symphony, uninterrupted by explosions, feeling peace throughout a former conflict zone, and seeing human-elephant conflict become human-elephant coexistence.