The fate of a critically endangered mammal, the ebony tree, and a leading US guitar maker are all inextricably intertwined, and the solution to their survival may lie in the most unexpected of places: elephant poop. This is not a tale of destiny read in tea leaves or the stars, but a story of scientific discovery and collaboration, where elephant dung becomes a tool for conservation and a key to ensuring the long-term prosperity of the ebony tree. The ebony tree, with its dense, durable, and smooth heartwood, has long been used in the bridges and fretboards of guitars, propelling El Cajon-based Taylor Guitars to global success. However, the increasing demand for ebony has led to habitat loss and the illegal ivory trade, pushing the African forest elephant population to the brink of extinction. The decline of these elephants could have catastrophic consequences for the ebony tree, as camera traps and dung analysis have revealed that elephants are primary actors in the dispersal and germination of ebony tree seeds. This is where elephant dung becomes a crucial tool for conservation. Elephant herds consume the fruit of the ebony tree and carry its seeds for miles before excreting them onto the forest floor, increasing the dispersal range and reducing the risk of inbreeding. A nine-year study led by UCLA's Congo Basin Institute (CBI) found that 68% fewer ebony saplings were found in forest regions without elephants, leading to the conclusion that the fates of ebony and ivory are joined in perfect harmony. The CBI, with funding from Taylor Guitars, has launched the Ebony Project, a collaborative effort to ensure the long-term prosperity of the ebony tree. The project involves distributing seeds among the Indigenous Baka communities that share the basin's forests with the elephants, offering them ownership of the planted ebony trees and seeds for fruit and medicinal trees that grow considerably faster. This not only meets their needs but also creates jobs and transferable skills, benefiting the local communities. The Ebony Project has celebrated its 10th anniversary, with almost 50,000 ebony trees and more than 34,000 fruit trees planted, and Taylor has no desire to stop there. In his words, 'I just want to leave the next generation with more choices than we have.' This story is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of nature and the importance of collaboration in conservation efforts. It also highlights the potential for innovative solutions to complex problems, where even elephant poop can become a tool for ensuring the survival of a critically endangered species and a key resource for a leading US guitar maker.
