Elephant parasites
In southern India there has been found to be a strongly negative correlation to tusk length in males and intestinal parasite loads. Tusk growth can be affected by both genetic and environmental variables and parasite load may be in important factor (Watve & Sukumar 1997)
External parasites
According to FAO.org the parasites that are most often found on elephants are gad flies, fleas, hair lice, lice, and bot flies. (Elephant care manual for mahouts and camp managers)
