Indian Elephants (Elephas Maximus Indicus)
The Indian elephant is a sub-species of Asian elephants. The scientific name awarded to this species of mammal is Elephas Maximus Indicus. They are herbivores in diet, weigh approximately 3,000 to 5,000 kgs and still manage to look adorable. Their height varies from 7ft. to 10ft. Elephants have a life expectancy of 55-70 years. However, their deteriorating rate has put them in the endangered category.
Indian elephants are found all over southeast Asia, including Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and many other countries, the population of wild Indian Elephants are thought just to be around 20,000 individuals. For activities like foresting and even fights the Indian Elephants have been domesticated for pasts hundreds of years. Asian elephants have immense strength and gentle behavior towards human beings. However, today most domesticated elephants are used as rides for the tourists or in circus shows.
Understanding Elephants Sociology
Elephants like to travel in herds, protecting each other and their families. They are very strict about the path they follow during migration (monsoon). Such migration usually takes place between the drylands and wetlands. Unfortunately, a few problems emerged when humans built farms along the migrating routes of elephants. The herd remained rigid on the routes they wanted to follow, and a fair amount of destruction came under the accounts of farmers.
Female Elephants become ready to mate at the age of 10 years. The gestation period of female is 22 months. A newborn elephant (calf) generally weighs 100kgs after birth. It learns basic survival skills and receives nourishment by its mother in addition to ample care and attention from other female elephants of the herd. A calf’s is dependent on its mother until attaining the age of 5 years. While males usually leave the herd, females choose to stay.
Unfortunately, Indian elephants are in imminent danger of becoming extinct. Their population is decreasing rapidly, primarily because of loss of their natural habitat due to deforestation and hunting for their tusks by poachers.
Enjoy sightseeing the Asiatic elephants and wildlife tiger safari by booking our Tadoba Tigers and Corbett Elephant tour package.
Born and brought up in New Delhi, it was Sharad’s childhood passion to play cricket for India. While on a holiday in 1990, he saw his first tiger. Little did he know that this one sighting would immerse him into a realm where forests and tigers were all that mattered.
Sharad’s experiences as a wildlife photographer have inspired him to observe the tiger’s behavior for over 30 years and motivated him on his own journey as an entrepreneur. He started Nature Safari India Pvt Ltd, with a focus on “Conservation through Tourism.” to align himself to the mission of saving the regal species and repopulating them in India’s forests. In 2006, he set up one of India’s premier jungle lodges in Kanha National Park.
Sharad believes that there are many lessons to be learned from a tiger that can be applied successfully to leadership—both in business and in life. Here’s a new book by Sharad Vats on management and leadership skills to learn from a Tiger.
