Borneo Pygmy Elephants
ENDANGERED - POPULATION AROUND 1,500
About Borneo Pygmy Elephants
Causes of extinction
The population of elephants in Kalimantan continues to dwindle as a result of damage to protected forests. As of April 2012, 20 to 80 elephants are estimated to range around 22 villages in the Sebuku subdistrict of Nunukan district in East Kalimantan.
The Oregon Zoo in Portland has the only Borneo elephant in the United States, a 21-year-old female orphan by the name of Chendra, who was found alone, hungry, and injured in the wild after her herd got crop-raided in a palm oil plantation. There are plans to breed Chendra with the zoo's Indian elephant Tusko, but it has not been attempted yet.
Goings-on
Interesting facts
-For their size, elephants are surprisingly dexterous and agile; they have an excellent sense of balance.
-Elephants are well swimmers.
-The head of an elephant brain - among the largest land animals, reaching weight 5 kg.
-For communication elephants used numerous sounds, postures and gestures trunk.