Asian elephant

Largest land mammal in Asia here!

They are significantly lighter (up to 4,600 kg) than their African cousin – the African bush elephant (up to 6,900 kg) – and they also have smaller, rounded ears. They have brown to dark grey skin with pink patches on the ears, forehead, chest, and trunk base. Their tusks can be measured up to 1.5m (5 ft) in length.

They are listed as Endangered due to reason poaching and killing for tusks, skin, and meat, but the threat was not as severe as it is in Africa. They also sometimes raid farmers’ fields, damage crops, and kill people accidentally. This causes farmers to kill them in self-defense.

Sing when looking for mates but cannot be heard by human ears due to extremely low ultrasound frequencies of the sound.

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Bangladesh
289–437
Official estimate
EN
2019
Bhutan
605–761
Official estimate
EN
2019
Cambodia
400-600
Official estimate
EN
2019
China
300
Official estimate
EN
2019
India
29,964
Official estimate
EN
2019
Indonesia
1,784–1,804
Official estimate
EN
2019
Kalimantan, Sumatera
Laos
500-600
Official estimate
EN
2019
Malaysia
2040
Official estimate
EN
2019
Sabah,
Malaysia
1,223–1,677
Official estimate
EN
2019
Peninsular Malaysia
Myanmar
2,000-4,000
Official estimate
EN
2019
Nepal
109-145
Official estimate
EN
2019
Pakistan
Official estimate
EX
Extinct 1900s
Sri Lanka
5,879
Official estimate
EN
2019
Thailand
3,126–3,341
Official estimate
EN
2019
Vietnam
104-132
Official estimate
EN
2019

Recent updates

March 2023: The government of India announced plans to establish a new Elephant Rehabilitation Centre in the state of Tamil Nadu, which will provide medical care and rehabilitation services to captive elephants.

Sep 2022: The government of Sri Lanka announced that it had established a new national park, Somawathiya National Park, which will provide important habitat for wild elephants as well as other wildlife.

Feb 2022: The government of Myanmar announced that it had designated a new protected area, the Bago Yoma Elephant Range Wildlife Sanctuary, which will provide important habitat for wild elephants as well as other wildlife.

Did you know?

  • The population of Sumatran elephants (subspecies sumatranus) in Indonesia’s North Aceh district, ranging from 924 to 1360 individuals, is facing a growing threat as their habitat is being progressively destroyed by the expansion of oil palm plantations, leaving them confined to ever-shrinking forested areas.

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Get to know me

Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd

Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No

Asian elephant on banknotes

Sri Lanka 1,000 Rupees (2006)

Nepal 1,000 Rupees (2019)

South Vietnam 1,000 Dong (1972)