Measures to reduce Human-Elephant conflict among captive Asian elephants in Kerala, India

Measures to reduce Human-Elephant conflict among captive Asian elephants in Kerala, India

T.P.Sethumadhavan, K.C.Panicker, R.Radhika

Abstract

The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) enjoys special status in India, which harbors over 28000 wild elephants. This is over 50% of the total population of this species in the world. More than 4000 elephants in domestication are in 24 states in the country. Human – elephant conflict among captive Asian elephants is acquiring momentum in the country. Recent findings revealed that due to human-elephant conflict 302 human lives are lost during the last three decades in India. Of which more than 95 Percent victims are mahouts. It is clear that mahouts who are closely associated with elephants create ill treatment to elephants, which makes them amok.
This study was conducted in the southern most state of India, Kerala that occupies only 1.13percent geographic area of the country. But the state has more than 700 captive Asian elephants. As part of the study 200 captive Asian elephants were randomly selected to find out the cause and to formulate measures to reduce the Human-elephant conflict. In kerala tuskers are used for festivals and processions. Human-elephant interaction is more in the state.

Different variables like breeding, feeding, management, season, age, musth incidence, behavior, transportation and diseases were identified. Major interventions affecting above variables were identified and a SWOT analysis was done. Major findings, which cause Human-elephant conflict are poor chances of breeding, unscientific feeding and management, prolonged standing in festivals, unscientific musth management, poor musth forecasting system, heat stress, poor transportation and disease management. Based on the above findings a management system was formulated to reduce the stress after taking in to account the major variables identified. The management system includes best feeding and management practices, musth forecasting system, scientific disease control system and best management practices during transport and festivals.
The formulated scientific management system was administered on 200 captive Asian elephants during the festival season 2007. During festive season, when the elephants are compelled to stand more than 6 hours, measures were taken to frequently give watery vegetables like cucumber and watermelon. In order to reduce heat stress they were allowed to walk on shady places. Wet gunny bags were placed underneath their foot. Shamianas were made on their standing space to protect them from scorching sunlight. 12 hours rest period was made compulsory for elephants before moving to the next festivals. Mahouts were given training in scientific management practices. As part of transportation norms, Elephants are allowed to walk only 20 Km per day during morning and evening hours. Beyond 20 Km trucks were made compulsory as per captive elephant management rule prevalent in the state. Protocol for control of elephants and role of mahouts were well defined and implemented. Awareness programme for the public and students were conducted as part of the study.
The study findings revealed that best captive elephant management practices could reduce 80 percent of the human-elephant conflict. In order to reduce stress, variables like scientific feeding & management, disease control and management during musth need proper attention. There is a positive correlation between season and incidence of musth. Musth forecasting system can reduce Human- elephant conflict and maintain sustainable human- elephant relation ship.


Introduction-

Kerala is one of the smallest states in India, named as ‘Gods own country’ which occupies less than 1.13 percent geographic area of the country has more than 700 captive Asian elephants. Due to mechanization in timber mills elephants are used for festivals in temples, mosques and churches. Moreover elephants are used in public processions. More numbers of elephants are associated with Temples. One of the famous temples Guruvayoor Dewaswom has more than 65 Elephants. Tuskers’ are mainly used for festivals in Kerala. In Kerala festival season begins from October and extends up to the month of May. The season can be divided in to pre-festive and peak seasons. Peak season starts from the month of January and extends up to May. Elephants are compelled to stand up to 6-8 hours per day during the festival season in temples, mosques and churches. Over work, unscientific feeding, poor management, frequent musth incidents, poor chances of breeding, extreme hot during summer coupled with cruelty on elephants creates stress among tuskers which make them amok and result in Human Elephant conflict.
Recent findings revealed that due to Human-elephant conflict 302 human lives are lost during the last three decades in Kerala. Of which more than 95 Percent victims are mahouts. It is clear that mahouts who are closely associated with elephants create ill treatment to elephants, which makes them amok. Thus human elephant conflicts among captive Asian elephant elephants are an unsolved issue in the state.

Need for the study-

The increasing incidence of Human elephant conflict affects the socio, cultural, environmental and economic situation of the state. So a study was conducted to find out the cause for human elephant conflict and identified the measures, which can reduce this menace. These measures were applied during the festival season for the required results. As part of the study 200 captive Asian elephants were randomly selected to find out the cause and to formulate measures to reduce the Human-elephant conflict. Based on the above findings a management system was formulated to reduce the stress after taking in to account the major variables identified. It includes best feeding and management practices, musth forecasting system, scientific disease control system and best management practices during transport and festivals.




Methodology-

200 captive Asian elephants used for festivals were randomly selected during the festival season2007. A SWOT analysis was done to assess the existing system and to identify the cause and suggestive measures for reducing the increasing number of human elephant conflict in the state. Based on this a management system and protocols in tune with captive elephant management rule existing in the state were suggested. Different variables like breeding, feeding, management, season, age, musth incidence, behavior, over work, cruelty, transportation and diseases were identified. Major interventions affecting above variables were identified and a SWOT analysis were done.
Results-
SWOT analysis was done to assess the situation-

Strength Weakness Opportunities Threat
1.Total literacy2.700 Captive Asian Elephants3. Captive Elephant management rule 20034.Complete network of veterinary institutions5 Media awareness6.Elephant loving people 1.Compelled to do over work2.No chances of breeding3.Poor feeding and watering4.Improper musth management5.Unscientific transportation 1.Implementation of captive elephant management rule2.Musth forecasting system3.Implementation of awareness programmes4.Good mahout practices5.Rising number of Elephant lovers 1.Seasonal fluctuation2.Musth incidents are more seen during winter3.Improper management practices4.Poor mahout practices5.Problems with the implementation of captive elephant management rule6.Cruelty on elephants6.Over work7.Traditional festival practices8.Revenge-un predictable behavior of elephants

Based on the SWOT analysis following remedial measures were identified in breeding, feeding, management, season, age, musth incidence, musth forecasting, Mahout training, behavior, over work, cruelty, transportation and disease control in tune with captive elephant management rule2003.
A management system was developed with the following protocols.
1. Elephants have to be given adlibitum fodder/ green leaves and water just prior to festival procession/parade.
2. Elephants need a rest period of 12 hours before the next festival procession.
3. During festival season they are compelled to stand under scorching sunlight and on over heated floor. This causes stress and foot lesions. So sufficient shade should be provided at the procession venue. Frequent sprinkling of water on the floor and foot are suggested.
4. During transportation, elephants cannot be allowed to walk more than 20 hours at a time. It should be done during morning and evening hours. Trucks should be used for transportation for a distance of more than 40 Km. Sufficient care should be taken while transporting elephants in trucks.
5. During festivals elephants are compelled to stand more than 8 hours at a time. So during this period succulent fruits like watermelon, banana and pineapple should be given.
6. A registered veterinary practitioner should examine elephants before they are put to use in festivals.
7. Animals showing pre-musth, musth and post musth symptoms should not be allowed to participate in the festivals.
8. Based on age, season and previous musth incidents, a musth forecasting system is developed. This can be used as a ready reckoner for screening process.
9. Mahouts must be trained as per captive elephant management rule 2003.
10. Awareness programmes for public, festival organizers, students and elephant lovers are suggested.

The above protocols were applied to elephants during the peak festival season from January to May 2007.As a result of the incidence of Human elephant conflict can be reduced up to 80 percent in the state. Positive correlation between Human Elephant conflict and poor feeding and management practices were noticed in the study.
(Authors are thankful to the Elephant welfare association, Kerala for providing facilities for conducting the study)
References-
1.Journal of Indian Veterinary Association-special issue on Asian Elephants; Vol7 Issue3.
2.Endangered elephants-past, present and future; compendium published in connection with Symposium on Human-elephant relationships and conflicts held at Sri Lanka-Sptember2003.
1.Dr.T.P.Sethumadhavan, MVSc (Veterinary Extension), Trained from Smithsonian Institution, CRC, Virginia, USA in Hormonal assay and conservation, working in the field of elephant conservation since 1990, Assistant Director & Veterinary Scientist, Animal Husbandry Department, Government of Kerala, India
Address- Keerthanam, 1/32, Capital Homes, Punkunnam, Thrissur-2, Kerala, India

2.Dr. K.C.Panicker, MVSc, PhD, Professor (Retd), Kerala agricultural University, Elephant Expert, South India
3.Dr. R.Radhika, MVSc (Veterinary Parasitology) Veterinary surgeon, Animal husbandry department, Government of Kerala, India.


Human-Elephant conflict among captive Asian elephants in Kerala


Kerala is one of the smallest states in India, named as ‘Gods own country’ which occupies less than 1.13 percent geographic area of the country has more than 700 captive Asian elephants. Due to mechanization in timber mills elephants are used for festivals in temples, mosques and churches. Moreover elephants are used in public processions. More numbers of elephants are associated with Temples. One of the famous temples Guruvayoor Dewaswom has more than 65 Elephants. Tuskers’ are mainly used for festivals in Kerala. In Kerala festival season begins from October and extends up to the month of May. The season can be divided in to pre-festive and peak seasons. Peak season starts from the month of January and extends up to May. Elephants are compelled to stand up to 6-8 hours per day during the festival season in temples, mosques and churches. Over work, unscientific feeding, poor management, frequent musth incidents, poor chances of breeding, extreme hot during summer coupled with cruelty on elephants creates stress among tuskers which make them amok and result in Human Elephant conflict.
Recent findings revealed that due to Human-elephant conflict 302 human lives are lost during the last three decades in Kerala. Of which more than 95 Percent victims are mahouts. It is clear that mahouts who are closely associated with elephants create ill treatment to elephants, which makes them amok. Thus human elephant conflicts among captive Asian elephant elephants are an unsolved issue in the state. The increasing incidence of Human elephant conflict affects the socio, cultural, environmental and economic situation of the state.