They are very social animals. The basic family unit is a mature female, her current offspring and juvenile offspring. This unit may number about six and with other related family units they form a herd. Mature males leave the family unit when they reach puberty. They may be solitary or form temporary bull groups.
Mature males have a brief association with the family units when mating with mature cows.
The herd is lead by a dominant female called the matriarch. There are two main threats to the survival of elephants. Habitat destruction for the timber industry, farming and an ever increasing population, and poaching for the ivory and related product trade. Perth Zoo Involvement Perth Zoo has four Asiatic Elephants. Tricia arrived in 1962 at an estimated age of 7 years old.