Stock Photography: Sumatran Elephant

Sumatran Elephant is a subspecies, Elephas maximus sumatranus, of Asian Elephant. As the name suggests, the elephant is only found in Sumatra. The Sumatran Elephant is smaller than the Indian subspecies and is extremely endangered. A population survey conducted in 2000 estimated that only 2000 – 2700 wild elephants remain. 65% of Sumatran Elephant deaths are because of human persecution. 30% of this human persecution is through poisoning because of fear of the animal. 83% of the Sumatran Elephant's former habitat has now been turned into plantations; this means that the elephant has to learn to adapt to new habitats if it is to live.