Asian Elephant: (Elephas Maximus) belongs to order Proboscidea and family Elaphantidae. It occurs Bangladesh; Bhutan; Cambodia; China; India; Indonesia (Kalimantan, Sumatera); Lao People's Democratic Republic; Malaysia (Sabah, Peninsular Malaysia); Myanmar; Nepal; Sri Lanka; Thailand; Viet Nam and Nepal. Asian Elephants are distributed across the Terai region of Nepal and estimated to be present within 22 districts of Nepal. They are present in Bardia National Park, Chitwan National Park, Koshi Tappu, Parsa and Shukla Phanta National Park. Prefers mixed, deciduous and evergreen forest, denser bamboo, jungle and grassland. The current estimated total number of elephants in Nepal is between 255 and 265 (plus 150 domestic Asian Elephants). The global population is currently estimated to be between 30000 to 50000 individuals.
It is listed as endangered species by IUCN red list category as it is experiencing declines due to Habitat degradation and loss of corridor connectivity, Habitat shrinkage outside protected areas, Human-wildlife conflict, loss of elephant corridor, Potential risk of disease (TB). National red list of mammals categorizes it as an endangered species. The legal status of this species in Nepal is Protected (Appendix I) under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973 and Appendix I and for domestic Appendix II in CITES law.
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