Elephants are not as endangered as other large mamal species, but they certainly are under threat. Habitat loss is the main problem for them. Specific populations are also at great danger from poachers. Elephant ivory is still a highly desired good in some parts of the world.
Wild African elephants number 300,000-600,000. A big problem with this population, though, is an imbalance in the age profiles. Too many African elephants are young, too few are older animals (many killed by poachers for their ivory). Elephants socialise their young in how elephants should behave, and without the steadying influence, adolescent elephants can be impulsive and destructive.
African elephants may be comprised of up to three different subspecies: Desert (largest specimens, may number 500 or fewer individuals) forest (smallest aniimals, 19,000-140,000) and savannah (at least 200,000).
Wild Asian elephants (in South Asia and Sumatra) are believed to number 35,000-50,000. There are a lot of domesticated Asian elephants, though, still used as working animals. Asian elephants are distinct from the subspecies of pygmy Borneo elephants, which only number about 1000 in the wild.
Wild African elephants number 300,000-600,000. A big problem with this population, though, is an imbalance in the age profiles. Too many African elephants are young, too few are older animals (many killed by poachers for their ivory). Elephants socialise their young in how elephants should behave, and without the steadying influence, adolescent elephants can be impulsive and destructive.
African elephants may be comprised of up to three different subspecies: Desert (largest specimens, may number 500 or fewer individuals) forest (smallest aniimals, 19,000-140,000) and savannah (at least 200,000).
Wild Asian elephants (in South Asia and Sumatra) are believed to number 35,000-50,000. There are a lot of domesticated Asian elephants, though, still used as working animals. Asian elephants are distinct from the subspecies of pygmy Borneo elephants, which only number about 1000 in the wild.
