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More info: Asian elephants are considered to be forest animals. However, they have been observed to prefer zones that include intermittent open grassy glades. These zones contain transition areas with a greater variety of plant species which are not available in dense woodlands. These zones also provide the elephants with shade and a quick escape from the sun. They migrate as necessary to find habitat that contains sufficient vegetation and water to meet their enormous daily requirements.

Data gathered by Smithsonian's National Zoo scientists from radio-collared wild elephants in Myanmar show that elephants typically walk less than 1.6 to 6.4 kms per day. Home ranges vary in size from15 to 50 km2 to 500 to 800 km2. The differences depend on quantity and quality of food and whether or not the area is occupied by bull elephants or cows and their offspring. Home ranges of one family, clan or herd may overlap with another. Human activities, such as agriculture, have made seasonal migration difficult, creating much conflict between wild elephants and people.

Asian elephants once roamed across most of Asia, now they’re restricted to just 15% of their original range, in a number of fragmented and isolated populations around south and south-east Asia. More than half of all wild Asian elephants are found in India, with around 10,000 in the north-east of the country. Some move across the border between India and Nepal. There may be fewer than 100 wild elephants in Vietnam, perhaps 250 in Cambodia, and under 250 left in China.

Additional Information:
Animal Diversity Web
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Library
Fauna and Flora