Increasing Man-Animal Conflicts: Indian Elephant Fighting A Losing Battle For Habitat
Increasing Man-Animal Conflicts: Indian Elephant Fighting A Losing Battle
For Habitat
Brij Khandelwal, The News Agency
April 21, 2024
See link
https://www.thenewsagency.in/living/environment/increasing-man-animal-conflicts-indian-elephant-fighting-a-losing-battle-for-habitat
for photos.
With the increased number of man-animal conflicts in different parts of the
country, nature conservationists are wondering how the increasing
population of pachyderms would cope with expanding urbanisation that has
vastly reduced their natural habitat. Leopards, tigers, and tuskers are
frequently entering urban areas and attacking humans.
In many parts of the country, new urban clusters and industrial areas have
come up on the fringes of wildlife sanctuaries. From the Nilgiris in the
south to the foothills of the Himalayas up north, the elephant corridors
for free passage, are coming under pressure. In many areas, tourist spots
and resorts have invaded the elephant territory.
“Though after the Veerappan threat was eliminated on the Tamil
Nadu-Karnataka border and with effective anti-poaching measures, the
population of elephants in India has seen an increase, road and train
accidents have become more frequent taking a heavy toll,” says animal lover
Mukta Gupta of Mysuru.
According to a rough estimate, India has around 25,000 to 29,000 elephants
in the wild and around 1200 tuskers, the highest in Karnataka. Around 500
elephants have died due to unnatural causes in the last five years. In
1980, India had only 16,000 elephants. In India, there remain over 2,600
elephants in captivity.
Nature lovers say that the plight of the elephants is a critical issue
requiring urgent attention, as these majestic creatures are facing numerous
threats, including habitat loss, human-elephant conflict, poaching, and
exploitation. Preserving and restoring elephant habitats is crucial for
their survival. As human populations expand into elephant territories,
conflict between people and elephants increases. Experts say that poaching
for ivory and other body parts continues to pose a serious threat to Indian
elephants.
When in captivity, one of the biggest hazards that elephants have to
undergo is deplorable foot conditions. Saved from street begging, the
industries of wedding and tourism, and circus elephants, elephants are not
only found with terrible wounds across their body but also with joint
problems like ankylosis and osteoarthritis. Their footpads are usually worn
out, with some even having extremely thin soles, say veterinarians of the
Wild Life SOS.
“Elephants in captivity suffer from prominent feet-related ailments such as
abscesses, foot rot, overgrown nails and cracked footpads. While footpad
injuries can include cracks, cuts, bruises or abrasions, foot rot is due to
bacterial or fungal infections. Elephants also suffer from issues with
their toenails such as abscesses and overgrown nails. These foot ailments
impact their locomotion regarding their regular daily life,” the doctors
explained.
Wildlife SOS has provided foot care to over 40 rescued elephants at its
centres. To further promote outreach of elephant conservation and research,
caregivers and biologists from around the world are invited to visit the
facilities and observe the practicalities of elephant veterinary care. The
NGO is also involved in providing medical assistance to elephants outside
the centres, through its mobile veterinary unit.
Dr. Ilayaraja S, Deputy Director- Veterinary Services, Wildlife SOS
explained, “We inspect the feet of elephants for indications of infection
or injuries. We carry out regular foot cleaning where we remove dirt,
debris and other hazardous substances that may accumulate in their sole.
40-year-old Emma is a female elephant who was found with sharp stones,
pebbles, metal scraps and glass shards embedded in her footpad. For such
critical cases, we create special shoes for elephants with medicines in
them, which help them during their walks too.”