The Indian Elephant

The Indian elephant (scientific name elephas maximus indicus) is a subspecies of Asian elephant that inhabits the grasslands, dry forests, subtropical broadleaf forests, and tropical broadleaf moist forests of India. It can stand (at the shoulder) between 6 and 11 feet tall and grow, at most, 21 feet long, and it weighs 10,000 pounds. It can spend, at most, 19 hours a day feeding, mostly eating grasses, but also eating lots of roots, leaves, tree bark, and small stems; however, its favorite foods are cultivated crops such as rice, bananas, and sugarcane. It also needs to drink once a day, so the, at most, 125 square miles it can travel in one day is always done near a source of fresh water. In doing this, it helps spread sprouting seeds over this area.

The Indian elephant is classified as an Endangered species. It is this close to becoming extinct for four reasons. The first reason is that its habitat is becoming fragmented as a result of human construction projects. Because of this, one of the World Wildlife Fund's (WWF's) efforts to save it consists of reconnecting twelve of its protected areas by restoring the biological corridors between them. The second reason is that its habitat is becoming destroyed as a result of the same human construction projects. Because of this, another one of the WWF's efforts to save it consists of restoring critical parts of its habitat and maintaining the North Bank Landscape area of its habitat by increasing support for the conservation of it and the population it houses, which is the largest one in northeast India. The third reason is that it is poached for its ivory tusks. Because of this, yet another one of the WWF's efforts to save it consists of training and equipping the staff of its protected areas, so they can more effectively patrol these areas. The fourth reason is that it is often killed by the people whose farms and plantations it has been raiding in its search for food. Because of this, still another one of the WWF's efforts to save it consists of supporting the reduction of conflict between humans and elephants among the communities around various parts of its habitat. All of this is being done because it helps to maintain the unity and durability of its habitat.

Source for picture and all information: https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/indian-elephant