Elephants can live up to 60 years. Ageing elephants is not a simple task unless an individual has been seen regularly since their birth.
Experts are able to accurately determine the age of elephants using several variables such as the length of the back, shoulder height and the number and condition of the teeth. In older elephants, the males usually have a more rounded forehead than the females when viewed in side profile. From about 25 years, the bulls’ foreheads start to become more rounded and, as they continue to grow they become taller and more heavy set, with thicker and longer tusks. Their temples also start to sink, but usually, once they are past 30 years old.