The biggest threat to the population of this species is loss of their forest habitat, which is currently being cleared due to agricultural development and expansion of human settlements throughout the island. The Sri Lankan elephant (Elephas maximus maximus) is one of three recognised subspecies of the Asian elephant, and native to Sri Lanka.Since 1986, Elephas maximus has been listed as endangered by IUCN as the population has declined by at least 50% over the last three generations, estimated to be 60–75 years. On top of that, only 7% of male elephants have tusks. Home » News » Human-Elephant Conflict: Sri Lanka to deploy civil defense personnel. It is led by the oldest female, or matriarch. Sri Lanka was home to 6000 Asian Elephants in 2011. Sri Lanka is a country of multiple ethnicities, but the two most prominent are the Sinhalese and the Sri Lankan Tamils. The Sri Lankan elephant (Elephas maximus maximus) is one of three recognised subspecies of the Asian elephant, and native to Sri Lanka.Since 1986, Elephas maximus has been listed as endangered by IUCN as the population has declined by at least 50% over the last three generations, estimated to be 60–75 years. The Sri Lankan elephant is known to favor crops and fruits, grown by humans such as sugar cane or bananas. In fact, 2018 hasn’t been great for Sri Lanka’s tuskers, which are venerated as a “national treasure” and have been a huge tourist draw for decades. Today they are mainly threatend by loss of habitat, … Can Sri Lanka's elephants and humans learn to live together? Sri Lankan elephants graze on a field in Kaudulla national park in Habarana on Jul 30, 2018. A census of the domesticated elephant population, carried out by J.B. Jayasinghe and M.R. However, less than 20% of African elephant habitat is … Undoubtedly, the chronicle of elephant populations in Sri Lanka … Sri Lanka is a country of multiple ethnicities, but the two most prominent are the Sinhalese and the Sri Lankan Tamils. Current Status of Asian Elephants in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan elephants are the largest subspecies of Asian elephant, with a darker colour and more distinct depigmentation on the ears, face and trunk compared to other Asian subspecies. ... Official records show the population of wild elephants in Sri Lanka is estimated at 7,500. The largest and darkest of the Asian elephants, the Sri Lankan elephant was once found throughout the island of Sri Lanka, but is now being pushed into smaller and smaller areas do to increasing human development. A land area of nearly five square kilometers is needed to support an elephant to make sure the natural balance that exists between the elephant and … The Sinhalese make up around 75% of the total population and are concentrated in the central and southwestern parts of the country. The herd size in Sri Lanka ranges from 12-20 individuals or more. The species is primarily threatened by habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation. In contrast, savannah elephant populations in parts of southern Africa are large and expanding, with almost 300,000 elephants now roaming across the sub-region. The scariest moment in my life, wild elephant came so close to say hi to me in Sri Lanka. In 2018 China agreed to bail out Sri Lanka with a loan of $1.25 billion to deal with foreign debt repayment spikes in … ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL STATISTICS OF SRI LANKA 2018 VOL. Published by Statistics Department Central Bank of Sri Lanka, 30, Janadhipathi Mawatha, Colombo 01, Sri … Authorities have since been trying to find the person who fired at the elephant. [Xinhua/NAN] Since the 19th century, their population has dropped by 65 percent. The Sinhalese make up around 75% of the total population and are concentrated in the central and southwestern parts of the country.