Why are Asian elephants classified as endangered?

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) has classified the Asian elephant as an endangered species since 1986. This status is the result of several critical threats that have contributed to a 50-percent decline in their population over the last three generations.12

The primary factors driving this decline include:

• Poaching: Male Asian elephants are specifically targeted for the ivory in their tusks, which fuels the illegal ivory trade.12
• Habitat loss and fragmentation: The destruction and division of natural environments have reduced available living space for these animals.2
• Human-elephant conflict: As natural habitats shrink, elephants often enter agricultural areas to feed on crops. This leads to direct conflict with farmers, resulting in the deaths of both elephants and people.12
• Accidents: Collisions with moving trains pose a significant threat to their survival.12

Additionally, approximately one-third of the global population is held in captivity and used as work animals for industries such as logging.12