Elephants play an important economic role in Sri Lanka, attracting tourists to national parks to observe elephants in the wild.
Sri Lankan elephant
Elephant orphanage of Department of Wildlife Conservation, Pinnawala, Sri Lanka.
Key Facts
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Common Names
Sri Lankan elephant; Eléphant de Sri Lanka (Fr); Elephant de Sri Lanka (Sp)
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Scientific Name
Elephas maximus maximus
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Geographic Location
Southwestern Sri Lanka
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Population
Between 3,160 and 4,405 individuals in the wild
Background
This information has been reviewed.
Elephants hold aesthetic, cultural and economic importance in Sri Lanka. They are used for carrying timber and they have a special significance and role in religious events.
The Sri Lanka elephant is protected under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance of Sri Lanka (FFPO), and killing it carries the death penalty. Elephants can be observed in protected areas such as Yala, Wasgomuwa, Udawalawe, Minneriya and Kaudulla.
Elephants hold aesthetic, cultural and economic importance in Sri Lanka. They are used for carrying timber and they have a special significance and role in religious events.
The Sri Lanka elephant is protected under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance of Sri Lanka (FFPO), and killing it carries the death penalty. Elephants can be observed in protected areas such as Yala, Wasgomuwa, Udawalawe, Minneriya and Kaudulla.
Related links
Physical Description
The Sri Lankan species is the largest of the Asian elephant genus, and has patches of depigmentation (areas with no skin color) on its ears, face, trunk and belly.
Colour
This is the darkest of all Asian elephants.
Habitat & Ecology
The herd size in Sri Lanka ranges from 12-20 individuals or more, with the oldest female, or 'matriarch', leading the herd. In Sri Lanka, herds have been reported to contain "nursing units," consisting of lactating females and their young, and "juvenile care units", containing females with juveniles.
Breeding
Sri Lankan elephants do not exhibit a particular breeding season, and the period of gestation varies from 18 to 23 months.
Population & Distribution
The latest count places elephant population size in Sri Lanka between 3,160 and 4,405 individuals. Of these, between 2,000 and 2,870 are found in protected areas, however this is likely to be an underestimate. Captive elephants have declined to 400-600 individuals.
Colour
This is the darkest of all Asian elephants.
Habitat & Ecology
The herd size in Sri Lanka ranges from 12-20 individuals or more, with the oldest female, or 'matriarch', leading the herd. In Sri Lanka, herds have been reported to contain "nursing units," consisting of lactating females and their young, and "juvenile care units", containing females with juveniles.
Breeding
Sri Lankan elephants do not exhibit a particular breeding season, and the period of gestation varies from 18 to 23 months.
Population & Distribution
The latest count places elephant population size in Sri Lanka between 3,160 and 4,405 individuals. Of these, between 2,000 and 2,870 are found in protected areas, however this is likely to be an underestimate. Captive elephants have declined to 400-600 individuals.
Habitat
Major habitat type
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Biogeographic realm
Indo-Malayan
Range States
Sri Lanka
Geographical Location
Southwestern Sri Lanka
Ecological Region
Sri Lankan Moist Forests
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Biogeographic realm
Indo-Malayan
Range States
Sri Lanka
Geographical Location
Southwestern Sri Lanka
Ecological Region
Sri Lankan Moist Forests
What are the main threats?
The threats facing Sri Lanka's elephants are common to all Asian elephants. Forest clearing for human settlements and agriculture is causing loss and increased fragmentation of elephant habitat in Sri Lanka - the population has fallen by almost 65% since the turn of the 19th century.
As a result of forest clearing, human-elephant conflicts have also increased and led to the death of both humans and elephants, and the destruction of property. The problem is compounded by the elephant's predilection for crops such as sugar cane, bananas and other fruits grown by humans.
During 1997, about 126 wild elephants were lost as a result of human-elephant conflict (a rate of about 2.4 elephants per week). Current recorded levels of mortality would indicate that about 6% of the animals in the wild are dying annually. Conflict between government troops and the Tamil Tigers in the North-eastern region has also put elephants in the cross-fire.
As a result of forest clearing, human-elephant conflicts have also increased and led to the death of both humans and elephants, and the destruction of property. The problem is compounded by the elephant's predilection for crops such as sugar cane, bananas and other fruits grown by humans.
During 1997, about 126 wild elephants were lost as a result of human-elephant conflict (a rate of about 2.4 elephants per week). Current recorded levels of mortality would indicate that about 6% of the animals in the wild are dying annually. Conflict between government troops and the Tamil Tigers in the North-eastern region has also put elephants in the cross-fire.
Indian elephant (Elephas maximus) pushing down fence, Sri Lanka.
