Indian elephant

For the species also referred to as Indian elephant, see Asian elephant.

The Indian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus) is one of three subspecies of the Asian elephant. It comes from mainland Asia. Since 1986, E. maximus indicus has been listed as endangered by IUCN. The population has declined by at least 50% over the last 60–75 years. The subspecies is also threatened by habitat loss, degradation and herds being split apart into smaller groups. It is recognized as the National animal of India.

Indian elephant
Tusked male, Bandipur National Park
Female, Nagarhole National Park
Conservation status
Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Proboscidea
Family:	Elephantidae
Genus:	Elephas
Species:	Elephas maximus
Trinomial name
Elephas maximus indicus (Cuvier), 1798

Indian Elephant Media

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  The skull of Indian elephant at the Göteborgs Naturhistoriska Museum, Göteborg, Västra Götaland County, Sweden

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  Wild elephants in Munnar, Kerala

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  An elephant herd in Jim Corbett National Park

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  Elephants bathing at Mudumalai National Park's elephant camp

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  An elephant at Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary

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  A tusked male at Khao Yai National Park, Thailand

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  Elephant at Kaziranga National Park

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  A herd of wild elephants at Kui Buri National Park, Thailand

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  A large male in Mudumalai National Park

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  A calf in the Nagarhole National Park with injuries on the head indicating a possible attack by a leopard or a tiger