Asian elephant map Elephas maximus Endangered
Where the asian elephant lives: an interactive map of its subspecies and recorded sightings worldwide.
Approximate range, based on recorded sightings. Shapes are drawn by World Animal Map from 1,289 wild occurrence records on GBIF (CC0/CC BY 4.0; captive and fossil records excluded, isolated outliers removed), grouped into 1° grid cells and clipped to land. They show where the animal has been recorded, not an official range; gaps can simply mean no open data. Method · Records on GBIF
| Scientific name | Elephas maximus |
|---|---|
| Status | Endangered (Wikidata, IUCN category label) |
| Mapped range layers | 3 |
| Records used | 1,289 wild occurrence records (GBIF, CC0/CC BY) |
| Group | Elephants |
Population
“As of 2019, the global wild population was estimated at 48,323–51,680 individuals.”
Source cited by Wikipedia: Menon, V., “Population status of Asian elephants Elephas maximus and key threats”, International Zoo Yearbook, 2019. Quoted from Wikipedia: Asian elephant.
Interesting facts
- The genus Elephas, of which the Asian elephant is the only living member, is the closest relative of the extinct mammoths. [source]
- Although the amount of ivory being openly sold has decreased substantially since 2001, Thailand still has one of the largest and most active black markets for ivory seen anywhere in the world. [source]
About the asian elephant
The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), also known as the Asiatic elephant, is the only living species in the genus Elephas. It is the largest living land animal in Asia and the second largest living elephantid in the world. It is characterised by its long trunk with a single finger-like process; large tusks in males; laterally folded large ears and wrinkled grey skin that is partly depigmented on the trunk, ears or neck. Adult males average 4 t (4.4 short tons) in weight and females 2.7 t (3.0 short tons). It has a large and well developed neocortex of the brain, is highly intelligent and self-aware, being able to display behaviours associated with grief, learning and greeting. Three subspecies are recognised—E. m. maximus, E. m. indicus and E. m. sumatranus.
Subspecies (6)
Subspecies listed in Wikidata as children of Elephas maximus (fossil-only taxa excluded). Classification is debated for many animals and lists differ between authorities.
Elephas maximus indicus – Indian elephant
on the map
- Elephas maximus hirsutus
no open-licence GBIF records - Elephas maximus rubridens
no open-licence GBIF records 
Elephas maximus sumatranus – Sumatran elephant Critically endangered
8 open-licence GBIF records (too few to map)
Photos
Text in “About”, “Interesting facts” and “Population” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Asian elephant (revision 1377410481), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Changes: sentences excerpted verbatim, citations and formatting removed. No text added. Taxa and status: Wikidata Q133006 (CC0).
More elephants
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