MANAGEMENT MEASURES TO MITIGATE HUMAN- ELEPHANT CONFLICT AMONG CAPTIVE ASIAN ELEPHANTS IN INDIA

MANAGEMENT MEASURES TO MITIGATE HUMAN- ELEPHANT CONFLICT AMONG CAPTIVE ASIAN ELEPHANTS IN INDIA

T.P.Sethumadhavan MVSc* 1, R.Radhika MVSc 2K.C.Panicker MVSc, PhD 3

1.T.P.Sethumadhavan, Assistant Director & Veterinary Scientist, Animal Husbandry Department, Government of Kerala, India;2R.Radhika, Assistant Professor Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Kerala Agricultural University, Mannuthy.Thrissur, Kerala, India;3. K.C.Panicker, Professor and Head (Retd), Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Kerala Agricultural University & Secretary, Elephant Welfare Association, Thrissur, India

Abstract
Introduction

Human- elephant conflict among captive Asian elephants is an important area of concern in India. Recent findings revealed that due to Human-elephant conflict 352 human lives were lost during the last three decades in Kerala, India. Of which more than 94 Percent victims are mahouts.
The study was conducted during the festival season from January to May 2009 in Kerala state, India that occupies only 1.13percent geographic area of the country. Human-elephant interaction is more in the state where tuskers are used for festivals and processions. Kerala has more than 700 captive Asian elephants. As part of the study 240 captive Asian elephants were randomly selected to find out the cause and to formulate measures to reduce the Human-elephant conflict.
Methodology
Different variables like history, previous incidence of H-E conflict, feeding, management; season, age, musth incidence, behavior, transportation, breeding and diseases were identified. Primary data were collected from stakeholders involved in elephant welfare like veterinarians, mahouts, elephant owners, festival organizers, policy makers and elephant lovers with the help of interview schedule. Secondary data were collected from published reports of Elephant Welfare Association, departments of Animal Husbandry, Department of Forest & Wild life, Govt of Kerala, IEF compendium, etc. Focus group discussions were also conducted. Major interventions affecting above variables were identified and a SWOT analysis was conducted. Based on the findings, modification of existing management protocols were done to reduce the increasing incidence of H-E conflict.
Results and Discussion
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, good transportation practices, and best management practices during transport and festivals.

The formulated scientific management system, which were administered during 2007and 2008 were further modified and applied on 240 captive Asian elephants during the festival season January to May 2009. Series of Mahout training programmes and awareness seminars were conducted to create awareness on scientific management practices among mahouts, public and students. Interventions in transportation norms were followed. Protocol for control of elephants and role of mahouts were well defined and implemented. Based on the SWOT analysis and focus group discussion remedial measures were identified with regard to 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 rule enacted by the Government. As a result the incidence of Human elephant conflict could be reduced up to 93 percent in the state. Study revealed that there exists a positive correlation between variables like Human Elephant conflict, incidence of musth, poor feeding and management practices.