Quick answer
IUCN status: Critically EndangeredSumatran elephant at a glance
The Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) is a mammal in the family Elephantidae. Range in Indonesia: Forested landscapes in Sumatra. It is endemic to Indonesia, living naturally only in Sumatra. Diet: a variety of plants; a herbivore. IUCN Red List status: Critically Endangered. It is a legally protected species in Indonesia (Regulation P.106/2018).
| Scientific name | Elephas maximus sumatranus |
|---|---|
| Indonesian name | Gajah Sumatera |
| Group | Mammals |
| Family | Elephantidae |
| Range in Indonesia | Forested landscapes in Sumatra |
| Linked habitats | Tropical Rainforests |
| Diet | A variety of plants |
| Ecological role | Seed dispersal |
| Range | Sumatra, Indonesia |
| IUCN status | Critically Endangered · WWF — Sumatran elephant |
| Legal protection in Indonesia | Protected · Regulation P.106/2018 · annex no. 51 |
| Population estimate | 1,320–1,635 in the wild (Indonesian government 2026–2036 action plan) · Mongabay — Only 1,325-1,648 wild elephants left in Indonesia, government says (Aug 2026) |
| Population decline | Down from the 2,400–2,800 estimate published in 2007 · Mongabay — Only 1,325-1,648 wild elephants left in Indonesia, government says (Aug 2026) |
| Diet type | Herbivore (plant-eater) — eats many kinds of plants: grasses, leaves, bark, roots and fruit · Animal Diversity Web |
| Reproduction | Giving birth to live young (viviparous) · Animal Diversity Web |
| Observance days | World Elephant Day (12 August) |
| Active | Cathemeral (active irregularly by day and night) — The Asian-elephant account describes feeding by day and night and reduced activity in the hottest hours; this is not a measurement of each population. · Animal Diversity Web — Asian elephant: behaviour |
| Endemic to Indonesia | Yes — Sumatra · IUCN SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group |
In this guide (12)
An Asian elephant of Sumatra
The Sumatran elephant is a subspecies of Asian elephant. Do not transfer African elephant size, behaviour, or distribution information directly into this profile. Even between Asian elephant populations, landscape conditions differ. The scientific name helps establish whether a report actually concerns the population you intend to understand.
Evidence: WWF — Sumatran elephant ↗ · Smithsonian’s National Zoo — Asian elephant ↗
A forest shaped by elephant movement
Elephants eat many kinds of plants and can carry seeds elsewhere through movement and dung. This links elephant survival with forest regeneration. Their ecological role extends beyond the animal itself into relationships with plants and other wildlife sharing its habitat. Forest conservation therefore protects more than a single species.
Evidence: WWF — Sumatran elephant ↗
Social lives and space
Asian elephants have important social relationships, particularly among females and young. They need access to food, water, and routes between resources. These social and spatial needs explain why judging welfare only by food provision or visible body size gives an incomplete picture. The animal’s wider living conditions matter.
Understanding conflict without blame
Farms, settlements, and elephant routes can overlap, with real losses for residents. WWF-Indonesia describes agroforestry in Peusangan as one part of coexistence work. A particular approach is not automatically suitable everywhere; responses need to be developed with communities, specialists, and local authorities for the landscape concerned.
Evidence: WWF-Indonesia — Coexistence through agroforestry, March 2026 ↗
Threats and measuring progress
Habitat loss, fragmentation, poaching, and conflict place pressure on Sumatran elephants. Progress should be assessed through habitat conditions and the safety of people and animals, not only activity counts. Check survey dates and coverage before using an old population estimate as a description of conditions today.
Evidence: WWF — Sumatran elephant ↗
Supporting responsible conservation
PanduanHewan recommends programmes explaining movement-route protection, monitoring, and community roles. When choosing an elephant experience, prioritise observation of natural behaviour and transparent welfare information. Do not approach a wild herd or try to drive it away yourself. Ask local operators how a visit supports the animals’ long-term needs.
Evidence: WWF-Indonesia — Coexistence through agroforestry, March 2026 ↗ · Smithsonian’s National Zoo — Asian elephant ↗
Explore related habitats
These habitat relationships are supported by species sources in this guide. This is not a complete range map.
Scientific classification of the Sumatran elephant
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Proboscidea |
| Family | Elephantidae |
| Genus | Elephas |
| Species | Elephas maximus |
| Subspecies | Elephas maximus sumatranus |
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).
Common questions about the Sumatran elephant
What is the scientific name of the Sumatran elephant?
The scientific name of the Sumatran elephant is Elephas maximus sumatranus, in the family Elephantidae. In Indonesian it is called Gajah Sumatera.
What kind of animal is the Sumatran elephant?
The Sumatran elephant is a mammal in the family Elephantidae. By diet it is a herbivore (plant-eater): a eats many kinds of plants: grasses, leaves, bark, roots and fruit. It is also endemic to Indonesia.
Where does the Sumatran elephant live in Indonesia?
In Indonesia, this guide records the Sumatran elephant in: Forested landscapes in Sumatra.
The Sumatran elephant is endemic to Indonesia and lives naturally only in Sumatra. Source: IUCN SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group.
Source-supported habitats: Tropical Rainforests.
What does the Sumatran elephant eat?
Diet of the Sumatran elephant: a variety of plants. That makes it a herbivore (plant-eater). Source: Animal Diversity Web.
How does the Sumatran elephant reproduce?
The Sumatran elephant reproduces by giving birth to live young (viviparous). Source: Animal Diversity Web.
Is the Sumatran elephant nocturnal?
The cited source records the Sumatran elephant as cathemeral (active irregularly by day and night). The Asian-elephant account describes feeding by day and night and reduced activity in the hottest hours; this is not a measurement of each population. Source: Animal Diversity Web — Asian elephant: behaviour.
See also the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia.
How large is the population of the Sumatran elephant?
1,320–1,635 in the wild (Indonesian government 2026–2036 action plan). Source: Mongabay — Only 1,325-1,648 wild elephants left in Indonesia, government says (Aug 2026). Wild population figures are estimates and can differ between surveys.
What is the scientific classification of the Sumatran elephant?
Scientific classification of the Sumatran elephant: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, order Proboscidea, family Elephantidae, genus Elephas, species Elephas maximus, subspecies Elephas maximus sumatranus.
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.
Is the Sumatran elephant endangered?
Yes. The global conservation status of the Sumatran elephant: Critically Endangered. In the IUCN system, this category means it is considered to face an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Source: WWF — Sumatran elephant.
This global category is separate from national legal protection. Is the Sumatran elephant protected in Indonesia?
Is the Sumatran elephant protected in Indonesia?
Yes. The Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) is a protected species in Indonesia under Environment and Forestry Ministerial Regulation No. P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 on protected plant and animal species (annex, entry 51); the annex lists it as Elephas maximus.
The annex lists Elephas maximus (Asian elephant) without distinguishing subspecies, so it covers the elephants of Sumatra and Kalimantan.
Article 21(2) of Law No. 5 of 1990, as amended by Law No. 32 of 2024, prohibits anyone from hunting, catching, injuring, killing, storing, owning, keeping, transporting or trading a protected animal, alive or dead, including its body parts, eggs and nests.
If you see this animal being traded, kept or injured, contact the local BKSDA office.
Can the Sumatran elephant be kept as a pet?
No. Because the Sumatran elephant is a protected species, catching, owning, keeping, transporting or trading it without a permit is prohibited by law. Trading without a permit through electronic media is also prohibited.
If you see this animal for sale or being kept, report it to the local BKSDA office.
Compare with similar animals
Sources & references
- WWF — Sumatran elephant ↗
- Smithsonian’s National Zoo — Asian elephant ↗
- WWF-Indonesia — Coexistence through agroforestry, March 2026 ↗
- Peraturan Menteri LHK Nomor P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi ↗
- Mongabay — Only 1,325-1,648 wild elephants left in Indonesia, government says (Aug 2026) ↗
- Animal Diversity Web ↗
- Animal Diversity Web ↗
- IUCN SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group ↗
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
References can change. Check dates and context in the original source. How we use sources and data →
National parks where it is recorded
According to the official national park profiles from the KSDAE directorate. The animal may also live elsewhere.
Related causes and news
Help from outside Indonesia
If you live outside Indonesia, you can help elephants with World Animal Rescue Network.
Related site: PanduanHewan’s founder is also a director of World Animal Rescue Network. PanduanHewan itself does not accept donations, and this invitation is not directed at people in Indonesia.
Further reading
Elephant: facts, threats and conservation ↗ — World Animal Rescue Network. A broader overview that covers this animal.
Related site: PanduanHewan’s founder is also a director of World Animal Rescue Network.
Cite this page
Credit PanduanHewan when referring to this page. Check the original evidence sources before reusing a claim.
PanduanHewan. Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus). Last substantive update: 7 October 2026. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/sumatran-elephant/