Asian elephants
Key Facts
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Common Name
Asian elephant; Elephant d'Asie (Fr); Elefante Asiàtico (Sp)
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Scientific Name
Elephas maximus spp
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Habitat
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests, Tropical and Subtropical Dry Broadleaf Forests
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Status
Endangered (IUCN A2c); CITES: Appendix I
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Population
25,600 to 32,750 individuals
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Skin colour
Dark grey to brown, with patches of pink on the forehead, the ears, the base of the trunk and chest
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Height and Length
Body length - ranges from 550 to 640 cm; Shoulder height from 250 to 300 cm
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Weight
Upto 5,000 kg
Background
This information has been reviewed.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 tushes, 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% in Sri Lanka to 90% in south India. Asian elephants are almost hairless, with the few sparse ones being long, stiff, and bristly.
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 olfaction, and are also fine swimmers.
Size
The total body length of Asian elephants ranges from 550 to 640 cm, and shoulder height from 250 to 300 cm. Males can weigh up to 5,000 kg.
Colour
The skin colour 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 typeTropical 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.