African elephant


header: African Elephant

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header: Threatened Species

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C O N T E N T S

Introduction
Distribution
Population
Threats
Conservation &
Research Activities
Legal Status
Captive Breeding
References



The Asian (or Indian) Elephant is the largest terrestrial mammal in Asia, with a total head-body length of 550-640 cm, and shoulder height of 250-300 cm. It is smaller than the African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) with relatively smaller ears, and the head (not the shoulder) is the highest part of the body.10 Only male Asian Elephants carry tusks; females have small tushes which seldom show. A significant number of adult males do not have tusks, and the percentage of males carrying ivory varies by region (possibly reflecting the intensity of past ivory hunting), from only about 7% in Sri Lanka to 90% in south India.3 . . .

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