Asian Elephants and Poo Poo Paper

Asian Elephants

Asian elephants are sometimes known as Indian elephants. They are one of the three living species of elephant. Asian elephants are found mostly in India, Indochina, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. Asian elephants are smaller than African elephants and Asian elephants also have smaller ears. This is one of the best ways to tell Asian elephants apart from African elephants. The height of an Asian elephant ranges from 7-12 feet and they weigh approximately 3.25 to 5.5 tons. There are other physical characteristics that separate Asian elephants from their African counterparts. They have a more arched back and also have more nails on the feet. While both male and female African elephants have tusks, female Asian elephants usually do not have these tusks. Females that do have tusks often have tusks that are small and hard to see.

Behavior of Asian Elephants

Elephants travel in migratory routes that are seasonal in nature. These routes often take the Asian elephants through wet and dry zones. The oldest member of the herd is the elephant charged with remembering where the routes lead. Asian elephants live for about 60 years when they are in the wild and 80 years when they are in zoos and other captive environments. The females live in small groups that are led by the oldest female in the group. The herd that elephants travel in consists of relative elephants. Male elephants are called bull elephants. They like to travel alone and often become involved in conflicts over female elephants during the mating season.

Domestic Use of Asian Elephants

Asian elephants have been domesticated for many purposes. In Southern and Southeast Asia, elephants have been used for forestry purposes because their tusks and large size make it easy for them to knock down small trees and brush. Asian elephants have also been used during ceremonies for many centuries. Some areas charge money to tourists to see Asian elephants in the wild, but it is difficult to do this because elephants may damage property.

Danger of Asian Elephants

Because of their size, Asian elephants are rather dangerous. They have tusks and large bodies that can be used to destroy property and cause harm to humans and other animals. Adult males are particularly aggressive because of the surge in testosterone they experience after they go through puberty. This aggression gives them the ability to cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time.

Subspecies of Asian Elephants

There are four subspecies of Asian elephants. The Indian elephant (E. m. indicus) lives in southern India, northwest India, and the foothills of the Himalayans. This subspecies has males that usually have tusks. The Sri Lankan elephant (E. m. maximus) only lives in Sri Lanka. Most of the elephants do not have tusks whether they are male or female. The Sumatran elephant (E. m. sumatrensis) lives in Sumatra. This elephant is sometimes known as the pocket elephant because of its small size. The Borneo elephant (E. m. borneensis) is the smallest subspecies and lives in north Borneo. Even though this is the smallest subspecies, it has the biggest ears.

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Why is the Asian Elephant Endangered?

The greatest threat to the Asian elephant's survival is encroachment of its natural habitat by man. Deforestation and farming are clearing away their food source, causing many of these magnificent animals to die of starvation. A further reason why this magnificent animal is endangered is due to the fact that they are being hunted for their ivory tusks. This practice is illegal, yet poachers still earn vast sums of money for the elephant's tusks.

Elephants can weigh up to 5.5 tons and stand at a height of 3 metres, yet for all their bulk and strength they are still extremely fragile. They can be found everywhere from evergreen forests to dry scrubland and can spend up to 20 hours a day feeding. An adult Asian elephant can consume up to 200 kg's of food daily, ranging from fruits to berries and shrubs, leaves and bark.

Pollution of the environment in which Asian elephants live is also having a negative impact upon these animals. Today there are less than 50,000 to be found in the wild and that wild is slowly disappearing as vegetation is cleared away to make way for progress. Ironically elephants are used to clear large tracts of lands.

A battle for resources has led to tragic conflicts between Asian elephants and humans, resulting in the deaths of many elephants who are reported as 'rogue'. Unfortunately aggressive behaviour from elephants can cause vast devastation and even the deaths of humans, so an aggressive elephant is quickly killed. Approximately 15,000 Asian elephants are kept in captivity, many under questionable circumstances. They are currently listed on the endangered species list and will continue to be so until conservation efforts are put in place to preserve what is left of their natural habitat.

Find out more about why Asian Elephants are endangered and what is being done to save Asian Elephants today.