Sri Lankan elephant
Elephant in cross-fire
| Common Name |
Sri Lankan elephant; |
|
| Scientific Name | Elephas maximus maximus | |
| Habitat | Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests | |
| Location | Southwestern Sri Lanka | |
| Status |
IUCN:Endangered (EN - A1cd) |
|
| Population | Between 3,160 and 4,405 individuals in the wild |
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Background
This information has been reviewed.Elephants hold aesthetic, cultural and economic importance in Sri Lanka. They are used for carrying timber and they have a special significance and role in religious events.
The Sri Lanka elephant is protected under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance of Sri Lanka (FFPO), and killing it carries the death penalty. Elephants can be observed in protected areas such as Yala, Wasgomuwa, Udawalawe, Minneriya and Kaudulla.
The subspecies is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, and the conflict between government troops and the Tamil Tigers in the North-eastern region has also put elephants in the cross-fire.
Physical Description
The Sri Lankan species is the largest of the Asian elephant genus, and has patches of depigmentation (areas with no skin color) on its ears, face, trunk and belly.Colour
This is the darkest of all Asian elephants.
Habitat
Major habitat typeTropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Biogeographic realm
Indo-Malayan
Range States
Sri Lanka
Geographical Location
Southwestern Sri Lanka
Ecological Region
Sri Lankan Moist Forests