Post by chatter on Feb 27, 2006 5:30:26 GMT -5
elephants vs humans - human elephant conflict (1992)
agricultural activities, unsustainable development, land clearing, settlement and poaching increasingly threaten the few remaining wild herds of asian elephants.
these activities lead to human /elephant conflict.
a crucial factor in the survival of both species is, amongst other things, the availability of large enough areas that are managed sustainably to meet the needs of both human and animal populations.
habitat loss through the forest conversion to other land uses has had its toll on the wild elephant population in thailand, no more so than the current problem in pala u, where elephants, in the dry season, on their normal migratory route, move down from forest and forage on local farmers crops.
in this area over the past 2 years a number of elephants have been killed and maimed by villagers attempting to protect their crops. the problem, during this year's dry season, has become more acute. the elephants now are becoming more aware of, and are partial to, in particular the local pineapple crop.
this year the price, paid to local growers for their pineapples has increased fourfold over that of a year ago. one elephant can destroy a 5 rai crop within a very short period causing understandable grief for the farmer.
grief for the elephant too, as the pineapples cause intoxication and just being there puts them at risk of being shot, electrocuted, poisoned or maimed.
there are an estimated 200 wild elephants living here, being one of the few areas in thailand where wild elephants exist in any number. wild elephants in thailand are an endangered species that are considered to be near extinction.
however the wild elephants living in this area are been squeezed out, their living space reduced by human settlement and expansion. as a result, wild elephants foraging for food, along their traditional migratory routes invade the newly planted agricultural crops. this has resulted in physical harming and killing of wild elephants by individuals in the village community. illegal poaching, especially of baby elephants, which are sold to unscrupulous buyers for the tourist market, and the hunting for ivory has, and is, having a major impact upon their long term survival.
since 1992, the wild animal rescue foundation of thailand (war), a ngo with charity status, has been working in the area of environmental conservation by helping wild animals that have been physically injured, handicapped or abused.
the foundation's aim is to solve problems arising from conflicts and confrontation between human and wild elephants sharing a common living space.
such problems are increasingly becoming more violent.
it is our top priority to conduct a study on the nature of the problem and wild elephant behaviour in this area.
at present there is no accurate information or data available on wild elephant population, number of herds, age range, food/mineral sources, seasonal migration patterns, nor is there any accurate data on the extent of illegal poaching and deforestation that has taken place.
to elephants and the local population's livelihood, war is in the process of setting up a team partnership project, enlisting the help of local people in this area, international experts in human/elephant conflict resolution and assistance from both the thai forestry department and academic institutions, to seek much needed support for conservation efforts and long-term solutions.
asia
www.warthai.org/projects/pala%20u.htm
as african elephant range becomes more and more fragmented and as elephants get confined into smaller pockets of suitable habitat, humans and elephants are increasingly coming into contact and in conflict with each other.
africa
www.iucn.org/afesg/hec/
kenya
www.mosaic-conservation.org/mara/elephants.html
southern laikipia
www.laikipia.org/elephant-conflict_june2003.htm
picture
www.elephantcare.org/hecpro1.htm
elephants are disappearing and at this rate could be gone within decades
agricultural activities, unsustainable development, land clearing, settlement and poaching increasingly threaten the few remaining wild herds of asian elephants.
these activities lead to human /elephant conflict.
a crucial factor in the survival of both species is, amongst other things, the availability of large enough areas that are managed sustainably to meet the needs of both human and animal populations.
habitat loss through the forest conversion to other land uses has had its toll on the wild elephant population in thailand, no more so than the current problem in pala u, where elephants, in the dry season, on their normal migratory route, move down from forest and forage on local farmers crops.
in this area over the past 2 years a number of elephants have been killed and maimed by villagers attempting to protect their crops. the problem, during this year's dry season, has become more acute. the elephants now are becoming more aware of, and are partial to, in particular the local pineapple crop.
this year the price, paid to local growers for their pineapples has increased fourfold over that of a year ago. one elephant can destroy a 5 rai crop within a very short period causing understandable grief for the farmer.
grief for the elephant too, as the pineapples cause intoxication and just being there puts them at risk of being shot, electrocuted, poisoned or maimed.
there are an estimated 200 wild elephants living here, being one of the few areas in thailand where wild elephants exist in any number. wild elephants in thailand are an endangered species that are considered to be near extinction.
however the wild elephants living in this area are been squeezed out, their living space reduced by human settlement and expansion. as a result, wild elephants foraging for food, along their traditional migratory routes invade the newly planted agricultural crops. this has resulted in physical harming and killing of wild elephants by individuals in the village community. illegal poaching, especially of baby elephants, which are sold to unscrupulous buyers for the tourist market, and the hunting for ivory has, and is, having a major impact upon their long term survival.
since 1992, the wild animal rescue foundation of thailand (war), a ngo with charity status, has been working in the area of environmental conservation by helping wild animals that have been physically injured, handicapped or abused.
the foundation's aim is to solve problems arising from conflicts and confrontation between human and wild elephants sharing a common living space.
such problems are increasingly becoming more violent.
it is our top priority to conduct a study on the nature of the problem and wild elephant behaviour in this area.
at present there is no accurate information or data available on wild elephant population, number of herds, age range, food/mineral sources, seasonal migration patterns, nor is there any accurate data on the extent of illegal poaching and deforestation that has taken place.
to elephants and the local population's livelihood, war is in the process of setting up a team partnership project, enlisting the help of local people in this area, international experts in human/elephant conflict resolution and assistance from both the thai forestry department and academic institutions, to seek much needed support for conservation efforts and long-term solutions.
asia
www.warthai.org/projects/pala%20u.htm
as african elephant range becomes more and more fragmented and as elephants get confined into smaller pockets of suitable habitat, humans and elephants are increasingly coming into contact and in conflict with each other.
africa
www.iucn.org/afesg/hec/
kenya
www.mosaic-conservation.org/mara/elephants.html
southern laikipia
www.laikipia.org/elephant-conflict_june2003.htm
picture
www.elephantcare.org/hecpro1.htm
elephants are disappearing and at this rate could be gone within decades