The Malaysian Elephant in Big Trouble!

This article is a general introduction to Malayan elephants; the efforts being made to manage its population; what the future holds for the elephant and its habitat; and what we can do to help ensure its survival. The Malaysian elephant is actually a member of the Asian elephant species which is also found in India, Sri Lanka and mainland Southeast Asia. The elephant is very adaptable, and inhabits almost all types of ecosystem. It is one of the most important of our animals, and its successful conservation will also ensure survival of most of the species which are found within its home range.
Elephants were at one time found in almost all of peninsular Malaysia, except on the coasts and islands. There were so many that 17th century records show elephants were exported to Java for work. Elephants have been used in history as modes of transport; as battle animals; and for moving heavy weights, as in clearing forests. In the early days of aviation they were even used to pull aircraft into position!



Records from 100 AD show that trade in elephant tusks were already taking place. The trade in ivory has been a major factor in the decline of our elephant population.

Another factor, especially in this century, which has been more harmful and drastic, is the opening of jungles for logging, agriculture and development. This has isolated elephants into smaller and smaller pockets of habitat, with no organised access to other areas. In pursuing the perceived economic needs of human beings, we have forgotten the needs of elephants and other flora and fauna.

The encroachment of mankind into elephants' habitat, without consideration of the elephants needs, resulted in elephants encroaching in turn on agricultural land. They broke down fences(even electrical ones) to range, and to eat crops. This resulted in elephants being shot and poisoned in large numbers. Many were trapped in steel snares which almost amputated them as they struggled to escape. By 1972, the elephant population was down to 500.

In 1972 the Protection of Wildlife Act was passed, preventing the killing, hunting, confinement, or trade of elephants and other endangered species. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) of 1975, was adopted by Malaysia in 1977. This banned, among other things, the trade in ivory.

It has been estimated that, taking into consideration the breeding rate, the mortality rate, the need for mixing of genes, etc., there need to be 2,000 elephants to maintain a healthy and stable population. The present population is estimated at 1,200.



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Behavior

The elephant is an intelligent animal, capable of excellent memory, and of solving practical problems. Elephants have crossed electric fences by pushing the wooden supports down, or by using branches to break the wires. Elephants can remember human individuals after one or two meetings. Despite their size, elephants are very gentle with humans and rarely harm them. Wild elephants can be tamed within a few weeks, and soon learn various commands.

Elephants are very protective of their herd, and females will sometimes become foster mothers for the young of others. They help their young to cross obstacles like streams, and allow them to escape first when their herd is surprised by humans.

They have a keen sense of smell, using their trunks like periscopes to find the source of a scent. Their hearing is quite good, but their eyesight is relatively poor. They make a lot of noise when foraging for food, flapping their ears and breaking branches, but can detect foreign noises immediately.

Herds, which can range from 2 to over 25 animals, spend most of their time looking for food and resting. They tend to range through established routes, capable of covering 15-20 kilometres in a day. They prefer easy routes, along banks of streams and rivers; but sometimes they travel along ridge-tops.

Elephants are vegetarian and have specialised molars with ridges for tearing up fibrous plant material. 60 species of plants have been recorded as eaten by Malayan elephants, their preference being shoots and young trees. Their diet includes palms, rattans, ferns, wild gingers, ficus trees, grasses, fruit trees. Of human agriculture they like young oil palms, banana trees, and vegetables. Contrary to popular thought, elephants do not rumble and crash around when on the move. Their feet are well padded, and they can move silently and very swiftly.


Young elephants reach sexual maturity at 8-12 years. The gestation period of an elephant is 18-22 months, and after the birth of the single young, the mother will look after it for two to three years, during which she does not breed. It is estimated that a female breeds on average once in five years.

The Malayan elephant has a potential lifespan of 70 years; but on average females live up to 40 years, during which they can give birth to five calves. If the present population is 1,200 animals, it is estimated that it would take 12 years to achieve a stable, healthy population of 2,000.