Sri Lankan elephant (Elephas maximus maximus), a subspecies of the Asian elephant.
Image: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
At a glance
- IUCN category
- EN · Endangered
- Animal group
- Mammals
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The Asian elephant is the largest land animal in Asia and is smaller-eared than its African relatives. It is assessed as Endangered.
It is a highly social, intelligent herbivore that lives in family groups led by older females.
Range & habitat
Scattered across South and Southeast Asia, from India and Sri Lanka to Thailand, Indonesia, and southern China.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Habitat loss and fragmentation
- Human-elephant conflict
- Poaching and illegal capture
Why it matters
As a 'megagardener' that disperses seeds and shapes forests over huge areas, the Asian elephant is both an ecological keystone and a deep cultural symbol across Asia.
Gallery
Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) bathing, Laos.
Image: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Sources
Sources for Asian Elephant
- IUCN Red List — look up Asian Elephant (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
- Smithsonian's National Zoo
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the Asian elephant different from the African elephant?
Why is the Asian elephant Endangered?
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