The fossil history of the proboscidea (trunk feeder-derived from the Greek word proboskein), the order of mammals that include modern elephants, is one of the most complex stories of mammalian evolution ever told. However, modern day elephants are the only representative of the family and scientists recognised five subspecies from two species of elephants. Based of external feature, African form (Loxodonta africana) are bigger (Weight 5-7 tonnes, hight at shoulder 3-4m) in size, having larger ears, concave-shaped back with tip of trunk having two finger-like projections. Both sexes of the two sub-species of African form have tusks.

The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) has three sub-species i.e. (Sri Lankan, Mainland and Sumatran sub-species) and their external feature shows convex back, smaller ears, trunk with one finger and tusks only on males (rudimentary tusk may be found in females). Average Asian elephant may weigh 3-5 tonnes and reach reach 2-3.5 metre at shoulder.

North, northeast and southeastern hilly regions of Bangladesh were once considered as elephant habitation. But over the years, degradation and fragmentation of the once-compact forests drastically led to the decline of this regal animal to a number of about 250-350.

Elephants make large demands on their environment, an adult animal consumes something like 200kg of green fodder a day and probably destroys an equal quantity in the process. At the same time they drink 500 gallons of water a day.

In a small country like Bangladesh where forest land is shrinking alarmingly due to human pressure, there is very little room for sustaining wild elephants. About sixty elephants are now stranded in Sherpur along Indo-Bangladesh border, continues settlement on the elephant corridoors forced the animal to confront with man.

Fortunately Cox's Bazar, Bandarban and Kaptai forests still sustain a viable elephant population. And nothing is more worthy and exciting than sighting an elephant herd grazing in their natural environment. Khasru Chowdhury