Elephants (IMAGE) Aarhus University Caption Big animals, like the elephants on the illustration, probably helped keep part of the European landscape open or semi-open during last interglacial period. That created variation in the vegetation and fauna. Credit Brennan Stokkerman Usage Restrictions Only to be used when covering this story. License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.