The Asian elephant is listed as endangered on the World Conservation Union's (IUCN's) Red List of Threatened Animals.
Reasons Asian Elephants are Endangered
Poaching
The poaching of Asian elephants is not just for its ivory tusks. It is also for their meat, skin and medicinal use and labor.
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Habitat Loss and Fragmentation
One of the main threats for the Asian elephants is the loss of its habitat. In South Asia, the human population is growing so fast that humans are moving into the elephant's habitat. Also, new roads and railways are fragmenting the Asian elephants habitat. The elephants are then forced into small quarters and cannot move along the ancient migration routes. When this containment happens, there is a risk of inbreeding.
Genetic ThreatAnother threat to the Asian elephants is inbreeding that leads to genetic problems. Because of poaching for male elephant tusks, more male elephants are being killed than female elephants. This may lead to inbreeding because there are fewer males resulting in high baby calf death rates and low breeding success. Habitat fragmenting is also causing inbreeding because they are not able to mix with other herds. These two genetic threats are another reason that the Asian elephants are endangered.
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