Endangered Species Zoo

ASIATIC ELEPHANT

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Three Elephants Standing in the grass

DESCRIPTION:

The Asiatic Elephant is the biggest land mammal.. It has large ears which are used to display anger or aggression, and to regulate their body temperature. The adept trunk is used by the elephant to eat and drink. The tusks emerge when the elephant reaches two or three years of age and are used to dig for water or food, as a weapon and to protect their trunks. their average life-span is 60 years.

A family of Elephants running across a shallow river

HABITAT:

The forests of south-eastern Asia, India and in the foothills of the Himalayas is where the Asiatic Elephants live in family groups of up to ten members.

DIET:

The Asiatic Elephant has to spend 12 to 18 hours a day feeding to satisfy its enormous appetite. It feeds on several different plants including leaves, grasses, barks fruits and flowers. 150 litres of water are consumed by an adult elephant a day.

REPRODUCTION:

The gestation period of the Asiatic Elephant is 22 months. The young do not wean Elephants playing in deep river until they are about four years old and do not become fully independent until they are around 11 to 20 years old.

POPULATION:

The population of the Asiatic Elephant is estimated at somewhere between 38,000 and 51,000.

THREATS TO SURVIVAL:

A mother and baby Elephant The male Asiatic Elephant has much bigger tusks than the female and is therefore under greater threat from the illegal ivory trade that still exits in areas habituated by the Asiatic Elephant. the actual habitat itself is under threat as more and more land is being turned into farm land or built on.

CONSERVATION:

Remaining habitat is protected, ivory (and other elephant products) trading is banned internationally. Several zoos around the world have successful breeding programs. Protected under CITES.

Tiger | Black Rhino | Giant Panda | Hawksbill Sea Turtle | Asiatic Elephant

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