A recent study released in Science Advances reveals the crucial relationship between African ebony trees and elephants, emphasizing the significant role elephants play in the survival of these trees. The research suggests that the future availability of African ebony for guitar fingerboards could be at risk if elephant conservation efforts are not prioritized. Conducted over nearly ten years, the study underscores the importance of community-led conservation initiatives. The findings, which were made public in El Cajon, Calif., on August 28, 2025, stress the pressing need to protect elephants to ensure the sustainability of African ebony trees for various industries, including instrument manufacturing.