If I was the writer, standing in the shoes of an elephant, I'd start off describing my peaceful life. I'd describe how we were peaceful mammals. We (Meaning the elephant and his elephant friends and family) always went about our business and did what was needed to live. Poachers came to hunt us down quite often, just because our skin was considered rare amongst the African People, they would kill us. Describe how the semi humane people would not kill the elephant, but buy the skin from the seller. These killers, the poachers often resurfaced as wealthy, heartless men. Although most people consider it a "small issue" it is killing us, we are drifting to extinction if this doesn't stop, and soon. Write about how you think life might be, if poachers were not a thing.
I am pretty sure that if you embellish upon this story and extent it enough. This will surely meet your story's character standard of 300-500 characters.
The setting of a story help the reader better understand the character's personality by showing and giving details of what the character does in the setting.
