It is sad to see elephants endangered especially since every time in recorded history, unless the extinction of elephants can be predicted and prevented, it may not be possible avoid.
You mentioned briefly the plight of the Native American People. Who's to say Native Americans are indigenous to the U.S. ? If ever there could be an example of human zoos, Reservations may qualify. Think about it. Animals are taken from their native lands and placed in zoos. Does not a Reservation represent human populations displaced from their native habitat in favor of Nation Building? Fortunately with the advent of the internet (this medium) Elephant populations as well as all other populations including human ones can be better monitored and their predators brought to justice.