The evolution of the elephant population in Asia has undergone significant changes. At the beginning of the 20th century, more than 100,000 Asian elephants roamed vast areas from the Persian Gulf to India, China, and Southeast Asia.
However, the population of Asian elephants has dramatically declined over the years. It has decreased by at least 50% over the last three elephant generations, which is approximately 60–75 years. Today, fewer than 50,000 Asian elephants remain in the wild, with around 15,000 kept in captivity.
Since 1986, the IUCN Red List has classified the Asian elephant as Endangered.
Regional Population Estimates:
- India: Home to the largest population of Asian elephants, with an estimated 27,000 individuals. Despite this, the population declines due to habitat loss, human-elephant conflict, and poaching.
- Sri Lanka: Hosts around 7,500 elephants. The island’s elephants primarily inhabit protected areas and national parks, but they still face threats from habitat fragmentation and human activities.
- China: The population of Asian elephants in China is critically low, with only about 200 individuals remaining. These elephants mostly reside in the Yunnan province, where conservation efforts aim to protect their dwindling numbers.
- Southeast Asia: The situation in Southeast Asia is equally concerning. Countries like Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam have seen significant declines in their elephant populations. In Thailand, an estimated 3,000 to 3,500 wild elephants and about 3,800 domesticated elephants exist. Other countries in the region have smaller populations, often facing severe threats from habitat destruction and poaching.
