Which countries contain most wild Asian elephant populations?

Wild populations of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) are primarily found in several countries across Asia. The majority of the global population—approximately 60 percent—resides in India.1

Other countries that contain significant wild populations include:
* Sri Lanka1
* Myanmar1
* Thailand1
* Indonesia1
* Malaysia1

Smaller populations are also located in Bhutan, Laos, Cambodia, Bangladesh, China, Nepal, and Vietnam.1

It is important to note that the Asian elephant is classified as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with total wild numbers estimated between 30,000 and 50,000 individuals. Protecting these animals from threats such as poaching and habitat loss is an ethical imperative to ensure the survival of this iconic mammal.12