Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) are the largest endangered land mammals in Asia. General anesthesia is required for their treatment, rescue, and live capture. From 2005 to 2019, using an anesthetic rifle and blow dart, 9 Asian elephants were anesthetized 12 times with 2.09±0.10 μg/kg (mean±standard error) etorphine hydrochloride and (8.54±0.40)μg/kg acetopromazine maleate compound (Large Animal Immobilon), or (3.47±0.15)μg/kg etorphine hydrochloride (M99); diprenorphine hydrochloride was used as an antagonist. In all cases, the animal was immobilized successfully, and no elephant died. The induction period lasted (11.00±0.71)min (Large Animal Immobilon) or (14.12±4.46)min (M99), and this was not significantly influenced by sex or age. During the induction period, the elephants were not excited. Activity and response to stimulation were gradually weakened, and the elephants fell to the side after losing consciousness. During the maintenance period, the vital signs of the elephants were monitored. The rectal temperature was found to be in the normal range, but tachycardia occurred occasionally. After the injection of the corresponding antagonist, the recovery period lasted 1-6 min, and the elephants might enter sleep after the recovery period.