Scientists report 64% loss of suitable habitat for Asian elephants.

Asian elephants have lost 64% of their suitable habitat across the continent since the year 1700, according to a new study. The loss of habitat is due to colonial-era land use practices and agricultural intensification. Asian elephants are important for their ecosystems and are listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species. The loss of habitat has resulted in an increase of elephant-human conflict.