Asian Elephant
Elephas maximus

The Asian elephant plays a major role in maintaining the forest landscape. Eating leaves and branches essentially prunes the trees, encouraging the foliage to grow back thicker. All living things dependent on the forest suffer as the elephant population declines.

Fact File

Weight: 6,000 to 11,000 lbs

Height: 8 to 10 ft

Lifespan: Up to 60 yrs in wild

Habitat: Forest

Diet: Grasses, leaves, barks and fruits

Status: Species at Risk (IUCN—Endangered)