Description
Elephants are proboscidean mammals of the family Elephantidae. Today, there are three species divided into two distinct genera. The African Savanna Elephant and the African Forest Elephant, formerly grouped under the same species of "African Elephant", belong to the gen Loxodonta, while the Asian Elephant, formerly called "Indian Elephant", belongs to the gen Elephas. They differ in certain anatomical characteristics, with Asian elephants generally being smaller with smaller ears, or a difference in the tip of the trunk. These surviving species are locally the subject of reintroduction and protection programs or projects.
