The Sumatran elephant is native to which Indonesian island?

The Sumatran elephant is native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

Its scientific name is Elephas maximus sumatranus, identifying it as a subspecies of the Asian elephant. It is one of three commonly recognized Asian-elephant subspecies, alongside the Indian and Sri Lankan forms.

Sumatran elephants once occupied much more of the island, but forest conversion, habitat fragmentation, conflict with farmers and poaching have sharply reduced their range. The subspecies was classified as critically endangered after severe population declines.

A common mix-up is confusing Sumatra with Borneo. Borneo has its own elephant population, usually called the Bornean elephant, while the Sumatran elephant is associated with Sumatra. Sumatra is Indonesia’s large western island, separated from Java by the Sunda Strait.