The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), one of the most massive land mammals, weighs up to 5000 kg (11,000 lb) and can reach a height of 3 m (10 ft). Her long, muscular trunk and wrinkled grey skin are perhaps her most identifying features. Physically, she can be distinguished from her slightly larger African cousins by her shape. Her small triangular ears are pointed and she has a short face with two domes on her temples, while standing tallest at the arch of her back. By contrast, both subspecies of African elephant have large ears and are tallest at the shoulder. Both male and female African elephants grow tusks. In Asian elephants, only males have tusks. An elephant can eat 225 kg (495 lb) of vegetation and drink as much as 190 litres (50 gallons) of water per day. While foraging, an elephant uses her trunk to pluck grasses and leaves. She also uses her trunk to suck water and spray it into her mouth. The trunk is an extension of the upper lip and acts as the elephant's hand as well as its nose. Some scientists claim that an elephant's sense of smell may rank among the most acute of any mammal on earth!

Asian Elephant African Elephant. Note large ears and lower forehead. (Photo: Achut Reddy)

In the wild, Asian elephants usually live in herds of 15 to 30 related members, comprised of females, young elephants, and one old bull. A mature female called the matriarch leads the herd. Herds follow social rules and customs, and the members are protective of their group. Females will sometimes become foster mothers for others' young. Adults help the young to cross streams and other obstacles, and allow them to escape first when their herd is threatened.

A herd of elephants enjoying a bath.

Sensitive to others’ calls and movements, individual elephants communicate with a language made up of a large variety of sounds. Besides having a sophisticated communication system, elephants have excellent memories and are capable of solving practical problems, displaying logical and human-like behaviour. Elephants have been observed to cry from sheer frustration, to come to the aid of a wounded or ill member of the herd, and to rescue humans from other elephants or from natural or human-made disasters. After becoming acquainted, elephants can remember specific humans and are gentle with people, with only a few examples of the contrary such as when a wild elephant is heavily provoked.

During the Pleistocene Epoch, the elephant inhabited every landmass except present-day Australia and Antarctica. Today, the Asian elephant is generally limited to tropical forests and river valleys in South and Southeast Asia and on the Indian subcontinent, including India, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Viet Nam, and Malaysia. Humans long ago discovered that Asian elephants are docile and easily trained. For centuries these gentle giants have been used as transportation; as battle animals (a famous example being when Hannibal, the Carthaginian General, crossed the Alps in 218 BC with thirty-seven elephants to attack the Romans); and for moving heavy weights, such as logs and, in the early days of aviation, even aircraft. Throughout history, elephant hunting and the ivory trade have also contributed to the popularity of the Asian elephant.

An elephant and his mahout hauling a log.

Records from as early as the seventeenth century indicate that in Malaysia, elephants were so abundant that they were exported for work. The population, however, began to dwindle as a result of animals being killed for their ivory tusks. In 1972, the Malaysian government passed the Protection of Wildlife Act, making it illegal to hunt, kill or trade elephants and other endangered species. Five years later, Malaysia adopted the 1975 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), a multilateral agreement that officially banned the global ivory trade and outlined international provisions that would further protect the Asian elephant.

Malaysia's elephants, however, remain in danger. Because of the destruction of rainforests (the Asian elephant's natural habitat) for logging, agriculture, and development, elephants are being forced into ever-decreasing pockets of habitat, isolating them in the middle of human civilization. As this happens, it becomes harder for elephants to roam naturally and conflicts with humans increase. More conservation measures and public education are needed if Asian elephants are to survive.

Home (Please note: If you see the menu side bar to the left, please use that instead to navigate. Thanks.)