In comparison, the first humans arrived in the island only about 50000 years ago. It is believed that elephants came to Sri Lanka over 3 million years ago, through a land bridge connection that existed at the time with India. In such regenerating forests grassland habitats, a single elephant on average needs only one third to one fifth of a square kilometer, or around 50 to 80 acres. However, if Such Forests are disturbed and converted to a mosaic of regenerating forests and grassland Savanna patches, the pioneer species of shrubs and grasses provide abundant fodder for elephants.
In closed canopy forests both in Sri Lanka and in other countries, a single elephant needs around 5 to 10 square Kilometers or 1200 to 2400 acres of area. Examples in Sri Lankan dry evergreen forest in the National Parks of Wilpattu, Wasgamouwa and Yala (Block 5). A large extent of global Asian elephant habitat in countries such as Myanmar, Laos and Malaysia is covered in closed canopy rain forests. The number of wild elephant that can be supported by a given extent of land varies on the type of its vegetation. Most of the growth in such forests happens up in the canopy which is beyond the reach of elephants – the undergrowth is sparse due to the low light falling inside. Tall, closed canopy forests- such as mature tropical rainforests and evergreen forests – are not ideal habitats for elephants. However, estimates of elephant numbers by leading international experts suggest that over 10% of the total Asian Elephant population is found in Sri Lanka.Įcologically, Asian elephants are an ‘edge species’, which means that the best habitat for them is at the boundary between the forest and open habitats. IUCN Red List Rank is endangered.īased on remote sensing studies, elephant range I Sri Lana Constitutes approximately 2% of the current global range. Elephants are featured prominently in Sri Lanka history, Culture, religious faiths and folklore Symbolizing qualities like physical strength, intelligence, dexterity, loyalty and responsibility.
The Sri Lanka elephant ( Elephas maximus maximus) has shared a special cultural bond with people of Sri Lanka over 25 Centuries.
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