Indian Elephant

"A Species of Lore and Legend"

Of all the elephant sub-species, the Indian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus) covers the broadest range and serves as the animal icon for Asia.

Found in the wild from India across to Vietnam and south to Peninsular Malaysia, no other wild animal is as close to the culture, traditions and industry of humans as this massive beast.

An exhalted species in India entrusted to carry gods, paraded in Buddhists festivals, and used as warrior beasts in warfare, the elephant is adored in art, stories and other cultural acknowledgements.

In Asia, the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only elephant species (Africa has two species.) The Indian elephant is one of four sub-species, the others:

• Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatrensis) - Limited to Sumatra, where elephant habitat has shrunk drastically due to plantations and settlements, less than three thousand animals remain with poaching and poisoning problems contributing to the sub-species decline.
• Sri Lankan elephant (Elephas maximus maxumus) - The largest of the sub-species, possibly 3000 individuals survive from over 10,000 elephants a century ago. Living in dry forests and subject to poaching, killing for crop protection, drought deaths and starvation.
• Borneo pygmy elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) - Discovered recently by DNA comparisons, this smaller forest elephant is either a separate wild population found only in Borneo or a descendent of other species that were translocated to the island centuries ago. Only a one to two thousand of these endangered animals remain.

[For more information on biology and behavior go to elephant facts or find out how you can help stop the ivory trade.]

Royal Chitwan National Park, Narayani, Nepal
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Indian Elephant: Conservation and Survival

The dominant sub-species, the total population of Indian elephants ranges from between 20,000 to 25,000 individuals, probably half of all elephants in Asia.

Fast growing human populations in the region encroach upon elephant habitats and create conflicts such as poaching and crop destruction.

Hunting elephants for ivory, meat, hides and other body parts reduces the numbers of healthy male tuskers to breed and, consequently, fewer births.

The loss of forests over the last century correspond with drastic decreases in wild populations.

Thailand went from 100,000 elephants a century ago to just 2,000 (plus 3,000 tamed animals) as its forests depleted from 60% to 20% in only 50 years.

Deaths regularly occur from human-elephant conflicts in India due to risky poachers and efforts by villagers to protect property and crops.

Even technology improvements in the logging industry caused the unemployment of hundreds of elephants, left to wander urban streets to seek money for handlers hard-pressed to feed them.

Those remaining in the jungle find traditional migration routes cut off by settlements and fragmented forests result in small and isolated herds. As an endangered animal, the Indian sub-species requires protection in national parks, forest reserves and other large landscapes, including grasslands and wetlands.

Governments and conservation groups focus on creating wildlife corridors, or links, between large forests to allow animal movement and restoring habitats to support and increase wild populations.

Amber Fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
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Indian Elephant: Cultural Icon of Asia

As an iconic animal, the elephant has been domesticated for centuries to help fight wars, labor in logging operations and serve as ceremonial centerpieces.

Harvested from the wild, these large land animals have become revered symbols of strength, gentle nobleness and boundless power.
Photo: Madras Editora CC 3.0

In India, the elephant remains a major symbol in its mythology and artwork after over 5,000 years. Ganesha, the elephant-headed god, is believed by Hindus to remove obstacles and bring success.

Hindu temples in Kerala, India keep elephants for religious ceremonies to carry dieties, which affords the animals a prestigious place in their society.

The national symbol of Thailand, elephants represent intelligent animals that offer good fortune that rubs off to superstitious folks willing to walk underneath one.

According to Thai folklore: "Marriage is like an elephant. A husband represents the front legs that choose the direction; the wife represents the back legs, providing the power!"

Today this majestic mammal is used as an attraction to ferry tourists through jungle parks, provide entertainment at zoos and rides around ancient temples.

But protecting wild elephants remains important to at least keep their dignity intact and offer tourists a chance to see the "real" grandeur of these giant icons.

Annual Elephant Festival, Jaipur, India
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