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WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT ASIAN ELEPHANTS?

Asian elephants are the continent's largest terrestrial mammals. 

They can reach 21ft (6.4m) in length and 10ft (3m) at the shoulder, and weigh as much as five tonnes.

They are smaller than African elephants and have proportionally smaller ears, which they keep in constant motion in order to cool themselves. 

They also have a single 'finger' on the upper lip of their trunks as opposed to African elephants, which have a second one on the lower tip.

Their skin ranges from dark grey to brown, with patches of pink on the forehead, the ears, the base of the trunk and the chest.

A significant number of male Asian elephants are tuskless. The percentage of males with ivory varies from just five per cent in Sri Lanka to around 90 per cent in southern India - possibly reflecting the intensity of past ivory hunting.

Female elephants are more social than males. They form herds of related females that are led by the oldest female, the 'matriarch'. 

Males usually live alone but sometimes form small groups with other males.

When habitat conditions are favourable, female elephants may give birth to a calf every two-and-a-half to four years. 

Each calf weighs between 110 and 330lbs (50 to 150kg).

After several months, the calf begins to eat grass and foliage. However, it stays under the supervision of its mother for several years, starting to make its first independent moves when it is around 4 years old.

Both males and females may become sexually mature as early as nine, but males do not usually start sexual activity until they are 14 or 15. 

Even then they are not capable of the social dominance that is usually necessary for successful reproductive activity, especially as most elephants only reach their full size at about 17 years of age.

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