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Asian Elephants

Sri Lankan Elephant

Common Name: Sri Lankan elephant 
Scientific Name: Elephas maximus maximus
Habitat: Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Location: Southwestern Sri Lanka

Elephants hold aesthetic, cultural and economic importance in Sri Lanka. They are used for carrying timber and have a special significance and role in religious events. Many local and international tourists visit the county’s national parks to observe elephants in the wild, thus boosting Sri Lanka’s economy through tourism. Elephants can be observed in protected areas such as Yala, Wasgomuva, Udawalawe, Minneriva and Kaudulla.

However, the subspecies continues to be threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, and the conflict between government troops and the Tamil Tigers in the northeastern region of the country.

More on the Ecology of the Sri Lankan Elephant

Physical Description

The Sri Lankan species is the largest of the Asian elephant genus, and has patches with no skin color on its ears, face, trunk and belly. This is the darkest of all Asian elephants.

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Danger Watch

A species relative risk of extinction, as determined by the IUCN - The World Conservation Union. More

  1. Link Title

    Extinct

    No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died.

  2. Link Title

    Extinct in the Wild

    Known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalized population.

  3. Link Title

    Critically Endangered

    Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

  4. Link Title

    Endangered

    Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

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    Vulnerable

    Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

  6. Link Title

    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

More on the Asian Elephant

Related Information

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Wildlife Trade  |  Agriculture

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