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Asian Elephants
Sacred and exploited
Common Name: Asian elephant; Elephant d'Asie (Fr); Elefante Asiàtico (Sp)
Scientific Name: Elephas maximus spp
Habitat: Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests, Tropical and Subtropical Dry Broadleaf Forests
Population: 25,600 to 32,750 individuals
Background
© WWF-Canon / A. Christy WILLIAMS
Although many thousands of domesticated Asian elephants are found in Southeast Asia, this magnificent animal is threatened by extinction in the wild: in the face of rapidly growing human populations, the Asian elephant's habitat is shrinking fast.
Wild elephant populations are mostly small, isolated, and unable to join as ancient migratory routes are cut off by human settlements. Confrontations between elephants and people often lead to deaths on both sides, and poaching for ivory, meat and hides is still a widespread problem.
A species that needs space
Through the Asian Rhinos and Elephants Action Strategy (AREAS), WWF is working throughout the Asian elephant range to conserve the remaining populations and their habitats. And because these large animals need a lot of space to survive, WWF considers the Asian elephant a 'flagship' species, whose conservation would help maintain biological diversity and ecological integrity over extensive areas.
Physical Description
The Asian elephant is the largest terrestrial mammal in Asia. It is smaller than the African elephant (Loxodonta africana), with relatively smaller ears, and the head (not the shoulder) is the highest part of the body. Asian elephants have a single "finger" on the upper lip of the trunk, while African elephants have a second on the lower tip.
Only some male Asian elephants carry tusks; females have small tusks, which seldom show. But a significant number of adult males are tuskless, and the percentage of males carrying ivory varies by region (possibly reflecting the intensity of past ivory hunting), from only about 5 percent in Sri Lanka to 90 percent in south India. Asian elephants are almost hairless, with the few sparse bristles.
Asian elephants keep their ears in constant motion in order to radiate the heat they generate and therefore cool themselves. The species are reported to have well developed hearing, vision and sense of smell. They are also fine swimmers.
Size
The total body length of Asian elephants ranges from 18 to 21 feet, and shoulder height from 8 to 10 feet. Males can weigh up to 5 tons.
Color
The skin color of Asian elephants is dark grey to brown, with patches of pink on the forehead, the ears, the base of the trunk and chest.
Habitat
Major habitat type
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests, Tropical and Subtropical Dry Broadleaf Forests
Biogeographic realm
Indo-Malayan
Range States
India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Malaysia (Peninsular and Borneo), Indonesia (Borneo and Sumatra)
Ecological Region
Southwestern Ghats Moist Forests, Sri Lankan Moist Forests, Northern Indochina Subtropical Moist Forests, Annamite Range Moist Forests, Sumatran Islands Lowland and Montane Forests, Kayah-Karen/ Tenasserim Moist Forests, Peninsular Malaysian Lowland and Montane Forests, Borneo Lowland and Montane Forests, Eastern Deccan Plateau Moist Forests, Naga-Manupuri-Chin Hills Moist Forests, Cardamom Mountains Moist Forests, Indochina Dry Forests, Chhota-Nagpur Dry Forests, Eastern Himalayan Broadleaf and Conifer Forests, Terai-Duar Savannas and Grasslands, Mekong River, Western Ghats Rivers and Streams, Salween River, Sundaland Rivers and Swamps.
Why is this species important?
Sacred but exploited, the Asian elephant has been worshipped for centuries and today is still used for ceremonial and religious purposes. Not only is it revered for its role within Asian culture and religion, it is also a key biological species in the tropical forests of Asia.
Domesticated elephants are found throughout South and Southeast Asia and are trained as working animals. Their ability to work in rugged country makes them valuable in forestry operations, while in India most Forest Department-owned elephants are now used for patrolling and anti-poaching work, especially during monsoon season.
Interesting Facts
When grasses are too short to be picked up with its trunk, the elephant scrapes the ground with its forefeet until a loose pile of grasses is formed, then sweeps the pile into its mouth with its trunk.
Danger Watch
A species relative risk of extinction, as determined by the IUCN - The World Conservation Union. More
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Extinct
No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died.
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Extinct in the Wild
Known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalized population.
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Critically Endangered
Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
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Endangered
Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
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Vulnerable
Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
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Near Threatened
Likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future.
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Least Concern
Does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endagnered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened
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