Elephants bought from India are cheaper than those bought from Africa or Thailand because there they don’t have the financial resources to offer them expensive food. They grow up to 4 feet tall at the shoulder and weigh up to 6,350 pounds, according to National Geographic. Asian elephants are only slightly smaller, growing between 2 and 3 m tall at the shoulder and weighing between 2,000 and 4,900 kg. In the wild, African elephants can live up to 70 years, while Asian elephants can live up to 60 years. If your state is not listed above and you would like to home a baby elephant, please contact us.

Captive-Bred vs. Wild Elephant Prices

One of the most majestic animals on earth, elephants are the object of many people’s fantasy ownership. In this article, we’ll look at the elements that determine elephant ownership costs and offer some pertinent clarifications. Just like how your home has a cozy nook for you to sit and read or a kitchen where you enjoy your meals, an elephant needs its own spacious sanctuary. The cost of housing can vary greatly depending on the size of the enclosure, location, and even the climate conditions in which it’s situated. The legal status of elephants can significantly impact their cost. If an elephant is part of a breeding program or registered, it might be more expensive but comes with additional benefits such as legal protection and conservation support.

Capture and Training Costs

Mexicans use ivory to carve images of deities, pipes, daggers, chopsticks, jewelry, ornaments, souvenirs, and hair accessories. Some Asian nations also value elephant tusks for their apparent medicinal properties. Even though there is much scientific evidence that confirmed the lack of medicinal properties in ivory, the demand is still high. Just like horses, elephants have different breeds with varying value based on their origin.

An elephant needs an enormous amount of food to keep up its massive energy requirements. On average, a single adult elephant consumes between 90 and 250 kilograms of vegetation daily. Considering the cost of high-quality, nutritious feed that meets their dietary needs, feeding alone can add thousands of dollars per month to the bill.

Health and Age

The Asian elephant dwells in patches of forests in South and Southeast Asia. Habitat fragmentation poses a significant threat as it can lead to human-elephant conflicts and a decline in elephant populations. Lastly, unexpected medical emergencies can occur just as they do with any pet. These costs are often covered by insurance policies that the adoption organization provides, ensuring peace of mind and immediate access to necessary treatments without financial stress.

As cornerstone species in their respective ecosystems, elephants are celebrated for their impressive size and intelligence. These mammals exhibit a rich diversity in species as well as complex social structures and behaviors that vary by habitat. The price of an elephant depends greatly on its age, size, or gender.

  • If your state is not listed above and you would like to home a baby elephant, please contact us.
  • This is one reason why elephants in captivity often develop health problems never observed in their wild counterparts.
  • This is especially true of their legs which can suffer severe and irreparable damage if left in the cold for extended periods of time.
  • They spend about 16 hours eating, consuming between 75 to 150 kg of food per day.
  • In the wild, African elephants can live up to 70 years, while Asian elephants can live up to 60 years.

Think of it like buying a house—you might pay more upfront, but you get the assurance that it’s legally sound. Most Botswana elephants live in the northeast of the country and frequently cross into Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, which have their own elephant populations. It is estimated that there are about 415,000 elephants in Africa, a population that has been decimated by ivory poaching, especially in East Africa. Elephant babies should also get a small shower using a garden hose. Many elephant owners are not aware of how important the hygiene of the space in which an elephant lives really is. For this reason, the average price for housing an elephant can be around $3,000 to $4,000 per month, with an average of $40,000 per year without the feeding costs.

This amount is usually paid for caring for and housing the pet in an environment that meets federal regulations. Depending on the size and the pedigree line of a baby elephant its price can reach up to $1 million, and in some cases even more. Now, think about feeding this giant creature—what do you eat in a day?

The Role of Humans

These animals are often kept in sanctuaries where they receive top-notch care until they can be released into the wild or placed in reputable zoos. This model is akin to a charity sale, where you’re not just buying an animal but supporting important environmental causes. A appropriate habitat – Animals should have a home that is secure and fits their individual needs.

  • Explore the financial aspects of owning an elephant, including costs for babies, adoptions, captive breeding, and ongoing care.
  • These operations involve a team of experienced handlers who use gentle yet firm methods to lead the elephant towards safety.
  • Most Botswana elephants live in the northeast of the country and frequently cross into Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, which have their own elephant populations.
  • As we mentioned above, an elephant eats quite a lot, so you’ll have to take into account another cost for each month.

Elephants have a limited ability to adapt to temperature changes, the more drastic and quick the change the less likely they will adapt, as with most other animals. This is especially true of their legs which can suffer severe and irreparable damage if left in the cold for extended periods of time. The social life of elephants is intricate, with herds generally matriarchal. A herd is led by an older female, or matriarch, and typically consists of related females and their calves. Adult males, or bulls, tend to live solitary lives or form loose groups known as bachelor herds.

In reality, many potential owners find themselves ill-prepared for the bureaucratic hurdles that come with owning an elephant. Veterinary outfits for elephants are often non-profit and a very useful resource for those whom are interested in learning more about elephant care. Before taking your elephant to a veterinary clinic you should make sure that the animal, if male, is not in one of it’s hostile cycles, called musth. If you have observed your elephant behaving erratically or in a hostile way, wait until it calms down before attempting to call a vet in or transport it. Vets will do many basic health checks, often starting with the feet of the elephant, which should be inspected regularly for irregularities and health problems, as well as for a trim and shaving. One without proper training should always call a veterinarian in for this kind of specific foot care as you may injure the animal if done improperly.

Moreover, training sessions may be required to teach the elephant certain behaviors or skills. This involves hiring experienced trainers who specialize in elephant behavior, much like hiring a personal trainer for yourself but on a grander scale. Understanding these factors How to buy an elephant will help give you a clearer picture of what might be involved in bringing home (or even just caring for) a baby elephant.

In conclusion, having an elephant entails a huge financial commitment and a great deal of responsibility. Before thinking about getting an elephant, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the local rules and legislation and make sure you have the means and know-how to take good care of the animal. The African elephant, split into the African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana) and the African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis), and the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) make up the main species. The African bush elephant is the largest, standing at the forefront of the family Elephantidae. Elephants, key to ecosystems, show varied species, social structures, and face threats like poaching and habitat loss. Although international trade in Asian elephant ivory has been banned since 1975, elephant tusks are used worldwide.