Some of these varied, low-frequency sounds may travel a mile or more. However, centuries of hunting and habitat destruction caused dramatic declines. Males are still killed for their tusks, although this happens less often today thanks to a global ivory ban, in place since 1989. Today, Asian elephants thrive mostly in large reserves that allow them enough room to wander widely. Where elephants and people inhabit the same area, conflicts often occur.
Elephants can cause great damage to crops, and they occasionally kill people.
Males in musth are responsible for the majority of attacks. Elephants play important roles in the cultures and religions of countries in most of their range, which inspires support for habitat protection measures, continued studies about elephants and their conservation needs, and efforts to mitigate conflicts between elephants and people. At the top of the forest food chain, this mighty, endangered cat slinks through the shadows in some of the habitats where Asian elephants live. A large Asian deer related to elk. By saving Asian elephant habitat, we protect these and many other animals.