Elephant
In 2008, the IUCN listed the Asian elephant as endangered due to a 50% population decline over the past 60–75 years while CITES lists the species under Appendix I. Asian elephants once ranged from Syria and Iraq (the subspecies "Elephas maximus asurus"), to China (up to the Yellow River) and Java. It is now extinct in these areas, and the current range of Asian elephants is highly fragmented. The total population of Asian elephants is estimated to be around 40,000–50,000, although this may be a loose estimate. It is likely that around half of the population is in India. Although Asian elephants are declining in numbers overall, particularly in Southeast Asia, the population in the Western Ghats appears to be increasing.
Twycross Zoo
Elephant Creek's main attraction is the group of five Asian elephants, forming Twycross Zoo's all-female herd. In 2010, ‘Uda Walawe’, a Sri Lankan-themed elephant walkway and habitat which goes around the perimeter of the elephant enclosure, enabling visitors to see the animals from many different angles, was opened. During the drier months, the elephants also have access to a large grass paddock where visitors can see them from the walkway, which was raised to improve viewing opportunities in mid-2014. The elephants have moved to Blackpool Zoo and the enclosure will be redeveloped.