Population status of Asian elephants Elephas maximus and key threats
Abstract
The Asian elephant Elephas maximus is distributed in 13 countries across South Asia and South East Asia spread over an area of 486 800 km 2 with a population of c. 48 323–51 680 in the wild and c. 15 000 in captivity. The major threats to the survival of the species are habitat shrinkage and fragmentation, human–elephant conflict, poaching and illegal trade of elephant body parts. The elephant populations of Vietnam, Sumatra and Myanmar are under great threat with only 100–130 elephants left in the wild in Vietnam. Apart from ivory, the trade of other body parts of elephants, especially the skin trade, has increased in last few years further threatening the elephant population. This trade could result in indiscriminate killing of elephants of both sexes threatening the fragile elephant population in the region. Human–elephant conflict has become a significant threat for the conservation of Asian elephants across their range of distribution and needs to be managed urgently to prevent retaliation. The welfare and care of elephants in captivity is a major concern as are the training methods used with these elephants. There is also a need to create and conform to a uniform registration system for elephants in human care to prevent illegal trade of individuals.
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Considerable attention has been directed toward improving zoo elephant welfare, while the unique conditions and challenges faced by captive elephants in non-zoo settings are often overlooked.
“Considerable attention has been directed toward improving zoo elephant welfare, while the unique conditions and challenges faced by captive elephants in non-zoo settings are often overlooked (58).”
From Comparison of animal welfare assessment tools and methodologies: need for an effective approach for captive elephants in Asia (2024) · cites this paper as [58]
There are over 14,000 captive Asian elephants outside traditional zoo environments across 13 range countries, primarily in tourist or logging camps and temples.
“There are over 14,000 captive Asian elephants outside traditional zoo environments across 13 range countries, primarily in tourist or logging camps and temples (58).”
From Comparison of animal welfare assessment tools and methodologies: need for an effective approach for captive elephants in Asia (2024) · cites this paper as [58]
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“Considerable attention has been directed toward improving zoo elephant welfare, while the unique conditions and challenges faced by captive elephants in non-zoo settings are often overlooked (58).”
Background
- Authors
- Menon, V., & Tiwari, S. K.
- Affiliations
- Wildlife Trust of India (IN)
- Corresponding author
- Tiwari, S. KR.
- ORCID
- Tiwari, S. KR.
- Venue
- International Zoo Yearbook
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2019-07
- Volume
- 53
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 17-30
- ISSN
- 0074-9664 (ISSN-L)
- 1748-1090
- OpenAlex
- W2986710024
- Cited by
- 116
- References
- 44
- Citations by year
- 2026: 21 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 29 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 1
- FWCI
- 4.52
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Zoo Yearbook (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Wildlife Conservation and Criminology Analyses
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law › Conservation, Ecology, Wildlife Education
- Keywords
- Asian elephant, population status, habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, human-elephant conflict, poaching, ivory trade, illegal wildlife trade, skin trade, conservation threats
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