Elephants seem to be everywhere in modern culture. These animals have been known to signify so much. This is especially true when you take a close look at the culture of India. They view the elephant as a symbol of strength, religion, wisdom, and intelligence. Elephants are among the most intelligent of the creatures with whom we share the planet, with complex consciousnesses that are capable of strong emotions. Across Asia they have inspired respect from the people that share the landscape with them, giving them a strong cultural significance. As icons of the continent elephants are tourism magnets, attracting funding that helps protect wilderness areas. They are also keystone species, playing an important role in maintaining the biodiversity of the ecosystems in which they live.