INDIAN ELEPHANT The Indian Elephant (Elephas maximus) is found in most parts of the country except in the northeast and centre. It also rages southeastwards through Burma and Malaya to Indonesia. In spite of the spread of civilization and the shrinking of its habitat, it is still quite numerous wooing to full protection by law. But it can be shot or captured under special license, and this has to be allowed because it is such a large animal and can do so much damage to food crops if allowed to multiply excessively and to roam unchecked.

Slightly smaller than its African cousin, the Indian elephant is believed to possess much intelligence. In India cow elephants never have tusks; and many bulls are also tusk less, being known as makhnas. Indian elephants are also distinguished from those of Africa by their convex backs )instead of concave ones), smaller ears and so on. Wild elephants are sometimes allowed to be captured by the pit method in Madras or by the khedda method in Mysore, Bengal and Assam. animals so captured become tame very quickly and render useful service to man in timber extraction, as transport animals in rough, swampy country and in other ways.

Modern mechanical devices have not yet been able to replace the elephant's ability to lift and load timber on to wagons and trucks. Elephants do not live to a great age as is still commonly believed; there is no evidence of any elephant living to more than 'three score years and ten'. And their powers of memory are probably not better than those of a dog. But they are truly remarkable creatures, especially in their capacity to submit to domestication and to learn so much from their human masters.

The lordly elephant is celebrated in legend and in song and also in history. Even now it still figures prominently in traditional state and temple pageantry; and continues to be a perennial favourite in zoos and circuses throughout the world.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India