Indian elephants, a subspecies of the Asian elephant, have been classified as endangered since 1986. While Sumatran and Sri Lankan elephants inhabit specific regions, Indian elephants are spread across much of the Asian continent.
Despite their broader distribution, their numbers in the wild are estimated at only 20,000 to 25,000, with populations steadily declining. This article explores the threats Indian elephants face and the efforts underway to protect them.
The Threats
Habitat Loss and Fragmentation
The loss and fragmentation of habitat is considered the primary threat to Indian elephants. The rapid economic growth and infrastructure development across Asia have accelerated the destruction of their natural environments. Expanding human settlements, mining projects, conversion of land into plantations, and the creation of linear infrastructure are major contributors to this issue. These activities disrupt traditional migration routes, forcing elephants into smaller groups and isolating them. Such fragmentation increases their risk of losing genetic diversity and heightens their vulnerability to diseases and natural disasters.
In India, elephant populations have seen a dramatic 70% decline over the last six decades. Scientists, considering the projected impacts of climate change, warn that more than 40% of elephant habitats in India could be lost by 2070.
Human-Elephant Conflict
As elephants lose their habitats due to human expansion, interactions between humans and elephants have become increasingly common. Many elephants, particularly those outside protected areas, often forage in farmlands, damaging crops and property.
When farmers and local communities perceive elephants as threats to their livelihoods, retaliatory actions may occur. Such conflicts have led to cases of poisoning or the use of other lethal means against elephants to prevent further damage.
Illegal Capture
Historically, Indian elephants have been captured from the wild for use in industries such as logging, particularly in countries like Thailand. Following the 1989 ban on logging in Thailand, thousands of captive elephants and their handlers were left without work, pushing many into the tourism industry. This shift introduced elephants into activities such as rides and performances.
Research indicates that elephants captured from the wild often have significantly shorter lifespans compared to those born in captivity, living on average seven fewer years. Additionally, wild-caught elephants are subjected to harsher treatment during their initial training period, especially when younger or more resistant. All elephants, however, face the highest mortality risks within their first year of captivity.
Studies have also highlighted long-term negative impacts on the reproductive success of female elephants captured from the wild. Despite countries like India, Vietnam, and Myanmar instituting complete bans on the capture of wild elephants, illegal poaching persists. Young elephants and calves are particularly sought after, with their mothers or other protective adults often killed in the process. While African elephants are more commonly associated with ivory poaching, certain male Asian elephants with tusks are also targeted in some regions.
Fascinating Facts About Indian Elephants
Indian elephants play a crucial ecological role by dispersing seeds and clearing pathways in dense forests, aiding other wildlife. For centuries, they have also been culturally significant, appearing prominently in the artistic traditions of the human communities sharing their landscapes. Additionally, elephants are highly intelligent and social creatures, exhibiting complex emotions, empathy, and self-awareness.
What Can Be Done?
In regions where logging is prohibited, organizations like the Save Elephant Foundation work to provide sanctuary for elephants and their handlers, preventing them from being forced into exploitative activities such as street begging or performing in circuses. One notable example is the Elephant Nature Park in northern Thailand, which houses and rehabilitates over 100 elephants at a time.
In parts of Myanmar, ranger teams collaborate with the Wildlife Conservation Society to protect and co-manage wild elephant populations. They utilize tools like the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART), a geographic information system-based software, to systematically collect, manage, and analyze data from patrols.
SMART allows park managers to deploy rangers strategically in areas with high poaching or illegal activity, optimize resource allocation, and refine management plans. By 2022, ranger teams in Myanmar's Rakhine Yoma Elephant Range had discovered and dismantled 25 illegal poaching camps. The data collected through SMART continues to inform future patrols and conservation strategies.
