Sri Lankan Elephant | Species

Asian Elephant
Sri Lankan Elephant

Asian Elephant
Sri Lankan Elephant

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Overview
Why They Matter
Threats
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Overview

Status
Endangered
Population
2,500–4,000
Scientific Name
Elephas maximus maximus
Height
8-10 feet at shoulder
Weight
4,400 and 12,000 pounds
Habitats
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests

The Sri Lankan subspecies is the largest and also the darkest of the Asian elephants, with patches of depigmentation—areas with no skin color—on its ears, face, trunk and belly. Once found throughout the tear-shaped island at the bottom of India’s southern tip, these elephants are now being pushed into smaller areas as development activities clear forests and disrupt their ancient migratory routes.

The herd size in Sri Lanka ranges from 12-20 individuals or more. It is led by the oldest female, or matriarch. In Sri Lanka, herds have been reported to contain nursing units, consisting of lactating females and their young, and juvenile care units, containing females with juveniles. The Sri Lankan elephant population has fallen almost 65% since the turn of the 19th century. Today, the Sri Lanka elephant is protected under the Sri Lankan law and killing one carries the death penalty.

Habitats
Forest Habitat

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Why They Matter

Elephants hold symbolic, cultural and economic importance in Sri Lanka. They attract tourists who visit national parks to observe elephants in the wild. They support logging operations by dragging felled logs and have special significance in religious events.

Threats

Population 2,500–4,000
Extinction Risk Endangered
1. EX
  Extinct
  
  No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died
2. EW
  Extinct in the Wild
  
  Known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalised population
3. CR
  Critically Endangered
  
  Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the Wild
4. EN
  Endangered
  
  Facing a high risk of extinction in the Wild
5. VU
  Vulnerable
  
  Facing a high risk of extinction in the Wild
6. NT
  Near Threatened
  
  Likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future
7. LC
  Least Concern
  
  Does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Near Threatened

Habitat Loss

The primary threat to Sri Lankan elephants is the loss of forests. The large blocks of forests they require are increasingly fragmented by clearing for human settlements and expanding agriculture in Sri Lanka.

Conflict with humans

As a result of forest clearing, human-elephant conflicts have also increased and led to the destruction of property and death of both humans and elephants. The problem is compounded by the elephant's preference for crops such as sugar cane, bananas and other fruits frequently grown in the region. In 1997, about 126 wild elephants were lost as a result of human-elephant conflict—a rate of about 2.4 elephants per week. Current recorded levels of mortality would indicate that about 6% of the animals in the wild are dying annually.