African Elephant: Size Question

[James Purefoy]

Ah, and a relevant article on the "Syrian Elephant", which also claims the Carthaginians used Loxodonta africana pharaoensis:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Elephant

Of course, it's only wikipedia, but maybe through examining the references it could be verified as correct? Regional species of Elephants seem to have been present on the southern side of the Mediterranean, if that is the case then wouldn't it be better to use these extinct species instead of their modern African cousins?