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.




Introduction

Human- elephant conflict is an important area of concern in India. It is prevalent among wild and captive Asian elephants. Recent findings revealed that due to Human-elephant conflict 352 human lives are lost during the last three decades in Kerala, India. Of which more than 94 Percent victims are mahouts.

Materials and methods

This study was conducted in the southern most state of India which is 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.

Variables like feeding, management; season, age, musth incidence, behavior, transportation, breeding and diseases were identified. 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. Focus group discussions were also conducted. Major interventions affecting above variables were identified and a SWOT analysis was done. Based on the findings a management protocols were developed to reduce the increasing incidence of H-E conflict.







Results and discussion
Major findings, which cause Human-elephant conflict are stress due to over work, poor chances of breeding, unscientific feeding and management, prolonged standing in festivals, improper musth management, poor musth forecasting system, heat stress, poor transportation and disease management.
SWOT analysis
Strength
Weakness
Opportunities
Threat
1. Literacy
2.700 Captive Asian Elephants
3.Captive Elephant management rule 2003
4 Network of veterinary institutions
5.Media awareness
6.Elephant loving culture

1.Over work
2.Poor chances of breeding
3.Improper feeding and watering
4. Poor musth management
5. Transportation stress
1. Captive elephant management rule
2.Musth forecasting system
3.Extension programmes
4.Good mahout practices
5.Management protocols
1.Seasonal variation
2. Increasing musth incidents during winter
3.Poor management practices
4. Unscientific mahout practices
5.Improper implementation of captive elephant management rule
6.Cruelty on elephants
6.Over work
7.Traditional festival practices
8. Un predictable behavior of elephants

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.
The formulated scientific management system, which was administered during 2007 &2008 were modified and applied on 240 captive Asian elephants during the festival season January to May 2009. During festive season, when the elephants are compelled to stand more than 6 hours, measures were taken to frequently give succulent vegetables and fruits. They were allowed to walk on shady places. Wet gunny bags were placed underneath their foot. 12 hours rest period was made compulsory for elephants before moving to the next festivals. 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. 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. Based on the SWOT analysis following remedial measures was 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.

Management protocols
1. Elephants require a rest period of 12 hours before the next festival procession.
2. Elephants require adlibitum fodder/ green leaves and water just prior to festival procession/parade.
3. During festivals elephants were compelled to stand under scorching sunlight and on over heated floor. This causes stress and foot lesions. Sufficient shade should be provided at the procession venue. Frequent sprinkling of water on the floor and foot were suggested.
4. During transportation, elephants cannot be allowed to walk more than 20 Km 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 where elephants are compelled to stand more than 8 hours at a time, 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 2009.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 Human Elephant conflict and poor feeding and management practices.
Literature cited-
1. Chandrasekharan. K (2002); specific diseases of Asian elephants; J. Ind Vet Assoc; Special issue on elephants, 7(2); pp-31-34.

2. Endangered elephants-past, present and future; proceedings published in connection with Symposium on Human-elephant relationships and conflicts held at Sri Lanka-September2003.

3. J. Ind. Vet. Assoc.-Special issue on Asian Elephants; (2002) 7(3).

4. Proceedings of 2007 International elephant conservation and research symposium held at
Florida from November2-4, 2007.
Acknowledgments

Authors are thankful to the Elephant welfare association, Thrissur, Kerala for providing facilities for conducting the study and Conservation and research center, Smithsonian institution, USA for providing capacity building in elephant conservation and endocrinology.

Major breakthrough in Musth Control in Elephants

Major Breakthrough in Musth Control in Elephants
Dr.T.P.Sethumadhavan
As far as musth in elephants are concerned, it is a social issue. I t can be controlled through different ways. Research works of Professor Henk of South africa is really an eye opener to control musth in elephants. He along with a team of Scientists from Pretorea University formulated a protocol for controlling the musth incidents in African Elephants. It is throgh injecting a vaccine named GnRH vaccine which will reduce the quantity of testosterone hormone in tuskers. 600 microgram of GnRH vaccine is to be injected to elephants at an interval of 4th and 6th month respectively. this will hep to reduce the increasing incidences of Human-Elephant conflict in the world.