<P> The Sumatran elephant was once widespread on the island, and Riau Province was believed to have the largest elephant population in Sumatra with over 1,600 individuals in the 1980s . In 1985, an island - wide rapid survey suggested that between 2,800 and 4,800 elephants lived in all eight mainland provinces of Sumatra in 44 populations . Twelve of these populations occurred in Lampung Province, where only three populations were extant in 2002 according to surveys carried out between September 2000 and March 2002 . The population in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park was estimated at 498 individuals, while the population in Way Kambas National Park was estimated at 180 individuals . The third population in Gunung Rindingan--Way Waya complex was considered to be too small to be viable over the long - term . </P> <P> By 2008, elephants had become locally extinct in 23 of the 43 ranges identified in Sumatra in 1985, indicating a very significant decline of the Sumatran elephant population up to that time . By 2008, the elephant was locally extinct in West Sumatra Province and at risk of being lost from North Sumatra Province too . In Riau Province only about 350 elephants survived across nine separate ranges . </P> <P> The current Sumatran elephant population is estimated at 2,400--2,800 wild individuals, excluding elephants in camps, in 25 fragmented populations across the island . More than 85% of their habitat is outside of protected areas . </P> <P> Female elephants stop reproducing after 60 years of age . The maximum longevity in the wild is around 60 years . Female captive elephants have survived until 75 years while males have survived 60 years . </P>

How many sumatran elephants are left in the world