The Cardamom Project: Asian Elephant

Asian Elephant
Elephas Maximus

Asian Elephant
© Fauna & Flora International
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Also known as the Indian elephant, this is the smaller of the two existing elephant species (the other being the African elephant). It is, however, the largest land mammal in Asia, growing to about 6.5 meters in length and 3 meters in height. The males weigh around 5,000 kg, the females 3,000 kg, and they live for about 40 years. Asian elephants have smaller ears and a more rounded back than African elephants. They also have a fourth toenail on each of their hind feet. Only the males have prominent tusks.

Interestingly, the Asian elephant is more closely related to the extinct mammoth than to the African elephant. And perhaps even more surprisingly, the closest living relatives of both species today are manatees, dugongs, and hyraxes. Currently, there are only about 30,000 to 50,000 Asian elephants surviving, and many of them in small, isolated groups that are not ideal for breeding.

The Asian elephant is nearing extinction in the wild in many of areas in which it's found across the continent. The threats are manifold: The animals need space, and thrive in tropical grassy plains and rain forests, so widespread habitat loss is a key problem, due to both deforestation and human encroachment, especially in countries with high population densities. Poaching for ivory is also a major threat, despite international sanctions against the ivory trade. Many Asian elephants are also threatened by the kidnapping of their calves for domestication (which often requires killing the mother) as beasts of burden, especially for use in the logging trade. Ironically, when Thailand outlawed logging, many elephants suffered, due to negligence by their owners who lost interest in feeding and caring for them.

Significant numbers of elephant populations are believed to exist in the Cardamom Mountain region, and this area may well prove to be crucial to preserving the species. However, further field work is required to learn more about the surviving animals. And poaching and habitat degradation continue to be problems here.

The dilemma of the endangered Asian elephant is complex, requiring sensitivity to both the animals' needs as well as to humans'. To that end, numerous organizations are working to resolve these issues. The Cardamom Project's partner, Fauna & Flora International, established the Asian Elephant Conservation Program in 1995, which works with governments, organizations, and individuals in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand, as well as Cambodia, to safeguard the elephants' habitat, and to minimize conflict between elephants and people.