Sumatran Elephant
Encyclopedia
The Sumatran Elephant is one of three recognized subspecies
of the Asian Elephant
, and native to Sumatra
island of Indonesia
. Since 1986, Elephas maximus has been listed as endangered
by IUCN as the population has declined by at least 50% over the last three generations, estimated to be 60–75 years. The species is pre-eminently threatened by habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation.
Sumatran elephants reach a shoulder height of between 2 and 3.2 m (6.6 and 10.5 ft), weigh between 2000 and 4000 kg (4,409.2 and 8,818.5 lb), and have 20 pairs of ribs. Their skin color is lighter than of maximus and indicus with least depigmentation
.
province, from 12 separate populations in the 1980s only three remained by 2003. Recent surveys in the Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park
indicated a population estimate of 498, while in Way Kambas National Park
their numbers was estimated to 180.
A population survey conducted in 2000 estimated that only 2000 – 2700 wild elephants remain.
65% of Sumatran elephant deaths are because of human persecution. 30% of this human persecution is through poison
ing because of fear of the animal. 83% of the Sumatran elephant's former habitat has now been turned into plantation
s; this means that the elephant has to learn to adapt to new habitat
s if it is to live.
Sumatran elephants have been protected in Indonesia since 1931.
In 2004, the Tesso Nilo National Park
has been established in Riau province to protect the Sumatran elephant's habitat. This forest is one of the last areas large enough to support a viable population of elephants.
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
of the Asian Elephant
Asian Elephant
The Asian or Asiatic elephant is the only living species of the genus Elephas and distributed in Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Three subspecies are recognized — Elephas maximus maximus from Sri Lanka, the Indian elephant or E. m. indicus from mainland Asia, and E. m....
, and native to Sumatra
Sumatra
Sumatra is an island in western Indonesia, westernmost of the Sunda Islands. It is the largest island entirely in Indonesia , and the sixth largest island in the world at 473,481 km2 with a population of 50,365,538...
island of Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
. Since 1986, Elephas maximus has been listed as endangered
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
by IUCN as the population has declined by at least 50% over the last three generations, estimated to be 60–75 years. The species is pre-eminently threatened by habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation.
Characteristics
In general, Asian elephants are smaller than African elephants and have the highest body point on the head. The tip of their trunk has one finger-like process. Their back is convex or level. Females are usually smaller than males, and have short or no tusks.Sumatran elephants reach a shoulder height of between 2 and 3.2 m (6.6 and 10.5 ft), weigh between 2000 and 4000 kg (4,409.2 and 8,818.5 lb), and have 20 pairs of ribs. Their skin color is lighter than of maximus and indicus with least depigmentation
Depigmentation
Depigmentation is the lightening of the skin, or loss of pigment. Depigmentation of the skin can be caused by a number of local and systemic conditions. The pigment loss can be partial or complete...
.
Distribution
The Sumatran elephant was once widespread on the island, but currently survives only in highly fragmented populations. In the mid-1980s, 44 separate populations where known, however this decreased since. In LampungLampung
Lampung is a province of Indonesia. It is located on the southern tip of the island of Sumatra and borders the provinces of Bengkulu and South Sumatra. Lampung is the original home of the Lampung people, who speak a distinct language from other people in Sumatra and have their own alphabet. Its...
province, from 12 separate populations in the 1980s only three remained by 2003. Recent surveys in the Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park
Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park
Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park is a national park in Sumatra, Indonesia. The park has a total area of 3,568 km², and spans three provinces: Lampung, Bengkulu, and South Sumatra...
indicated a population estimate of 498, while in Way Kambas National Park
Way Kambas National Park
Way Kambas National Park is a national park covering 1,300 square kilometres in Lampung province, southern Sumatra, Indonesia.It consists of swamp forest and lowland rain forest, mostly of secondary growth as result of extensive logging in the 1960s and 1970s...
their numbers was estimated to 180.
A population survey conducted in 2000 estimated that only 2000 – 2700 wild elephants remain.
Captivity
In 1986 the Indonesian government started establishing Elephant Training Centers intended to capture and train elephants for use in logging, patrol work, and tourism. Currently there are six provincial centres on 11 separate sites, that hold approximately 400 elephants.Threats
The remaining population is threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and as a result of conflict with humans.65% of Sumatran elephant deaths are because of human persecution. 30% of this human persecution is through poison
Poison
In the context of biology, poisons are substances that can cause disturbances to organisms, usually by chemical reaction or other activity on the molecular scale, when a sufficient quantity is absorbed by an organism....
ing because of fear of the animal. 83% of the Sumatran elephant's former habitat has now been turned into plantation
Plantation
A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
s; this means that the elephant has to learn to adapt to new habitat
Habitat (ecology)
A habitat is an ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a particular species of animal, plant or other type of organism...
s if it is to live.
Conservation
Elephas maximus is listed on CITES Appendix I.Sumatran elephants have been protected in Indonesia since 1931.
In 2004, the Tesso Nilo National Park
Tesso Nilo National Park
Tesso Nilo National Park is a national park in Riau Province, Sumatra, Indonesia. It was declared a national park by the Indonesian government in 2004....
has been established in Riau province to protect the Sumatran elephant's habitat. This forest is one of the last areas large enough to support a viable population of elephants.