sumatran elephant: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2 (Specialized)Formal/Scientific/Conservation
Quick answer
What does “sumatran elephant” mean?
A subspecies of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A subspecies of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
Refers specifically to the distinct population of elephants found only on Sumatra, characterized by smaller size, lighter skin color, and straighter tusks compared to other Asian elephants. It is critically endangered due to habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both varieties use the same term. Minor differences may exist in surrounding descriptive language (e.g., 'conservation programme' vs. 'conservation program').
Connotations
Identical connotations of an endangered, iconic megafauna species.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in general discourse, but standard in relevant scientific and environmental contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “sumatran elephant” in a Sentence
The Sumatran elephant is [adjective: endangered, native, distinct].Conservationists are working to [verb: protect, save, monitor] the Sumatran elephant.Deforestation [verb: threatens, impacts, reduces] Sumatran elephant habitat.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sumatran elephant” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The Sumatran elephant is facing a severe threat from palm oil expansion.
- Researchers have fitted a GPS collar to a young Sumatran elephant to track its movements.
American English
- The Sumatran elephant population has declined by over 80% in the past century.
- A new sanctuary has been established for orphaned Sumatran elephants.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts of sustainable tourism, CSR reports, or environmental impact assessments for plantations.
Academic
Common in biology, ecology, conservation science, and geography papers discussing Indonesian fauna or endangered species.
Everyday
Very rare. Might appear in nature documentaries, news reports about wildlife, or visits to zoos with conservation programmes.
Technical
Standard term in zoological taxonomy, wildlife management, and IUCN Red List documentation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sumatran elephant”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sumatran elephant”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sumatran elephant”
- Incorrect: 'Sumatra elephant' (missing 'n').
- Incorrect: 'sumatran Elephant' (incorrect capitalization).
- Incorrect: Using it as a general term for any Asian elephant.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they are a different species. Sumatran elephants are a subspecies of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), while African elephants belong to the genus Loxodonta.
Estimates vary but suggest only around 1,000-1,500 individuals remain in the wild, making them critically endangered.
The primary threat is habitat loss and fragmentation due to deforestation for palm oil plantations, agriculture, and human settlement, leading to increased human-elephant conflict.
Yes, some zoos worldwide participate in captive breeding and conservation programmes for Sumatran elephants, though their numbers in captivity are also limited.
A subspecies of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
Sumatran elephant is usually formal/scientific/conservation in register.
Sumatran elephant: in British English it is pronounced /suːˌmɑː.trən ˈel.ɪ.fənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /suˌmɑ.trən ˈel.ə.fənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SUMatran elephant lives on the island of SUMatra.' Link the 'Su' at the start of both words.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CANARY IN THE COAL MINE for rainforest health; a SYMBOL of wilderness and the cost of habitat destruction.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary reason for the Sumatran elephant's critically endangered status?