Important Species Of India - Elephant

Indian Elephant

The Indian Elephant (Elephas maximus indicus) :

• The Indian Elephant is listed as endangered by IUCN. 
• Elephants inhabit grasslands, dry deciduous, moist deciduous, evergreen and semi-evergreen forests.

Distribution :

• North India : The Indian Elephants are found at the foot of the Himalayas in Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh and in the North eastern flood plains.

• Central India : found in Orissa, Jharkhand, and in the southern part of West Bengal, with some animals wandering into Chattisgarh and Andhra pradesh

• South India : Eight populations are fragmented from each other in northern Karnataka, in the crestline of Karnataka–Western Ghats, in Bhadra–Malnad, in Brahmagiri–Nilgiris–Eastern Ghats, in Nilambur–Silent Valley–Coimbatore, in Anamalai–Parambikulam, in Periyar–Srivilliputhur, and one in Agasthyamalai;

Threats :

• Loss of habitat and grasslands in North eastern India.

• The Elephant's free movement in their traditional migratory paths is obstructed by reservoirs, hydroelectric projects and associated canals, irrigation dams, numerous pockets of cultivation and plantations, highways, railway lines, mining and industrial development.

• High-levels of human–elephant conflict and elephant mortality owing to railway accidents.