The Borneo elephant, also called the Bornean elephant or Borneo pygmy elephant, is a subspecies of the Asian elephant that inhabits northeastern Borneo. Its evolutionary origin remains debated, and a definitive subspecies classification as Elephas maximus borneensis awaits a detailed range-wide genetic and morphological study. In 2024, it was listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List after its population declined by at least 50 percent over the last three generations, an estimated 60 to 75 years, chiefly due to loss, degradation, and fragmentation of its habitat.
Facts
Scientific NameElephas maximus borneensis 3 Conservation Status Body Size Band Activity Pattern Activity Pattern Activity Pattern Classification
System (Realm) Relationship to PeopleAgricultural or Structural Pest 1 Living or Extinct Comparison
CITES Appendix Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source Borneo elephant (Wikidata)
In Biome
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Elephas maximus
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Borneo elephant (Wikipedia)Article textQuote, Article text
inhabits northeastern Borneo
Sources
1. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Elephas maximus
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyPrimary Diet, Elephas maximus
Primary Diet herbivore herbivore
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative Impacts
Negative Impacts injures humans crop pest
Conservation Status: CITES
CITES Appendix I
In Biome: Tropical Rainforest, Habitat Regions, biome: rainforest
rainforest rainforest
View the Source 2. Wikipedia: Borneo elephant
system (MediaWiki batch-API article extract states it plainly)Quote, system (MediaWiki batch-API article extract states it plainly)
The Sultan of Sulu was thought to have introduced captive elephants to Borneo in the 18th century, which were released into the jungle.
3. Borneo elephant (Wikidata)
Wikidata- Wikidata Q835120 (P225 taxon name)
Statements section, conservation status (P141)
IUCN Red List conservation status (Wikidata property P141): endangered.
- Child Taxon Of: Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus), Wikidata P171 (parent taxon) claim, rank=normal, target=Q133006 (Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus))
View the Source 4. Borneo elephant (Wikipedia)
IntroductionQuote, Introduction
A definitive subspecific classification as Elephas maximus borneensis awaits a detailed range-wide morphometric and genetic study. In 2024, the Borneo elephant was listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List as the population has declined by at least 50% over the last three generations, estimated to be 60-75 years.
5. Ecological Archives E095-178 (Wilman et al. 2014): EltonTraits 1.0 mammal diet data
Ecological Archives E095-178 (Wilman et al. 2014)Row: elephas maximus
408 Elephas maximus Elephantidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 100 Ref_1 ABC G A 1 1 1 Ref_1 ABC 2915040 Ref_117 1
MamFuncDat.txt row for this species, Activity-Nocturnal, Activity-Crepuscular and Activity-Diurnal columns
Elephas maximus Elephantidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 100 Ref_1 ABC G A 1 1 1 Ref_1 ABC 2915040 Ref_117 1
View the Source 6. Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of Liverpool: AnAge entry for Elephas maximus
Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of LiverpoolLifespan, ageing, and relevant traitsQuote, Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits
Maximum longevity 79.6 years (captivity)
Asian elephant (Wikipedia)
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