Population estimates
IUCN Status (Asian elephant)
Reduction in population size greater than or equal to 50% over three generations because of decline in habitat
IUCN Status (Sumatran elephant subspecies)
CITES Status
History of Protection
1972 Indian Wildlife Protection Act
1976 Listed as Endangered
1989 CITES ( Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora) approves an international ban on ivory. Not likely to provide much benefit to Asian elephants as poaching is minor problem
1997 CITES established MIKE (Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants) to systematically collect data on elephant population trends. 15 sites in South Asia and 16 in Southeast Asia have been selected for surveying
1998 World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Asian Rhino and Elephant Action Strategy (AREAS) recommends sites for conservation action: sets conservation priorities and resource allocations
Considered a "flagship" species ( chosen to represent an environmental cause) and a "keystone" species (a species whose presence is vital to the ecosystem, as is the keystone in an arch)
Formal recognition of E.m. boreensis as distinct subspecies elevates their conservation importance and ESU's (evolutionary significant units)
Habitat loss/fragmentation and conflict with humans
Poaching
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is working to protect elephants in Africa and Asia.
Image credit: © San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved.
Asian Nature Conservation Foundation (2008)
Blake & Hedges (2004)
Choudhury et al. (2008)
Fernando (2003)
Gopala et al. (2011)
Santiapillai & Jackson (1990)
Sukumar (1989, 2003, 2008)