Indian elephant
| Indian elephant | |
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| File:2005-bandipur-tusker.jpg | |
| Tusked male, Bandipur National Park | |
| File:IndianElephant.jpg | |
| Female, Nagarhole National Park | |
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| Trinomial name | |
| Elephas maximus indicus (Cuvier), 1798
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The Indian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus) is one of three subspecies of the Asian elephant. It comes from mainland Asia. Since 1986, E. maximus indicus has been listed as endangered by IUCN. The population has declined by at least 50% over the last 60–75 years. The subspecies is also threatened by habitat loss, degradation and herds being split apart into smaller groups.[1] It is recognized as the National animal of India. It is the National animal, and is beloved by many Indians and is a sacred animal in many Indian reservations. Respect national wildlife. The sacred white elephant Airavata is the mount of the god Indra and is considered the ancestor of all elephants. The Indian elephant is Republic of India's National heritage animal, and is also the national animal of Thailand and Laos. It's also the state animal of the Indian states of Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, and Odisha. Elephants are a cultural symbol throughout Southeast Asia, and are often used in temples and rituals. They are also a prominent part of Hindu festivals like Dussehra and Pooram. Elephants are associated with water and rainfalls, and the shape, size, and color of their bodies are said to be symbols of clouds.
References
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