FACTBOX - The Asian Elephant, Asia's Largest Land Mammal
Date: 06-Mar-06
Country: WORLD
- The Asian elephant is the largest land mammal in Asia, standing up to 10 feet (3 metres) tall and weighing up to 5,000 kg (11,000 pounds). It is found mostly in the tropical forests of Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.
- Listed as "endangered" by the International Conservation Union (IUCN), the Asian elephant population in the wild is estimated at between 35,000 and 50,000, down from 150,000 two decades ago. An additional 15,000 live in captivity. India has the largest number of wild Asian elephants, estimated at between 20,000 and 30,000.
- Habitat loss and poaching for hide, meat and ivory are the biggest threats to the survival of the Asian elephant. Since only bull elephants carry tusks, the illegal ivory trade has resulted in far fewer males than females in many areas.
- Asian elephants eat about 135 kg (300 pounds) of food daily, mostly grass, leaves and roots. They live in family groups of two to ten adult females and their offspring. Bull elephants are solitary and associate with cows only to mate.
- Domesticated for more than 4,000 years, the Asian elephant has been used as a beast of burden and in patrolling and anti-poaching operations. Armies in India regularly deployed elephants to terrify opponents. The Hindu god Ganesh is depicted with the head of an elephant and in Thailand the elephant is revered as a symbol of wisdom, strength and longevity.
Sources: Reuters, WWF (worldwildlife.org)
