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What it is
The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) is the largest land animal in Asia. It has smaller ears than African elephants, a head with two domes and one finger like tip on its trunk, and usually only males carry tusks. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists it as Endangered.
Range
Forests and grasslands of South and Southeast Asia, from India and Sri Lanka to Borneo and Sumatra.
What happened
People have tamed and worked with Asian elephants since ancient times, and many still live at temples, in camps and in timber work. Wild herds need large forests, which farms, roads and towns cut into ever smaller pieces.
When / status
Endangered now, with wild herds left in scattered forests.
Human role
Loss and breakup of its forests, conflict with farmers and poaching for ivory threaten it.