A Review of Human-Elephant Ecological Relations in the Malay Peninsula: Adaptations for Coexistence

Understanding the relationship between humans and elephants is of particular interest for reducing conflict and encouraging coexistence. This paper reviews the ecological relationship between humans and Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in the rainforests of the Malay Peninsula, examining the extent of differentiation of spatio-temporal and trophic niches. We highlight the strategies that people and elephants use to partition an overlapping fundamental niche. When elephants are present, forest-dwelling people often build above-the-ground shelters; and when people are present, elephants avoid open areas during the day. People are able to access several foods that are out of reach of elephants or inedible; for example, people use water to leach poisons from tubers of wild yams, use blowpipes to kill arboreal game, and climb trees to access honey. We discuss how the transition to agriculture affected the human–elephant relationship by increasing the potential for competition. We conclude that the traditional foraging cultures of the Malay Peninsula are compatible with wildlife conservation.

Exposure to Toxoplasma gondii in Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus indicus) in Thailand

Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis in humans and various animal species worldwide. In Thailand, seroprevalence studies on T. gondii have focused on domestic animals, and information on infections in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus indicus) is scarce. This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in archival sera collected from 268 elephants living in Thailand. The serum samples were analyzed for anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin G antibodies using the latex agglutination test (LAT) and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) based on T. gondii lysate antigen (TLA-iELISA) and recombinant T. gondii dense granular antigen 8 protein (TgGRA8-iELISA). The prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii was 45.1% (121/268), 40.7% (109/268), and 44.4% (119/268) using LAT, TLA-iELISA, and TgGRA8-iELISA, respectively. Young elephants had a higher seropositivity rate than elephants aged >40 years (odds ratio = 6.6; p < 0.001; 95% confidence interval: 2.9–15.4). When LAT was used as the reference, TLA-iELISA and TgGRA8-iELISA showed a substantial (κ = 0.69) and moderate (κ = 0.42) agreement, respectively. Although our findings suggest the widespread exposure of Asian elephants to T. gondii in Thailand, the source of infection was not investigated. Therefore, investigation of the predisposing factors associated with toxoplasmosis is necessary to identify the potential risk factors for infection.

Haemato-biochemical changes in tuberculosis infected and healthy Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) from South India

Tuberculosis is known to be a disease of elephants for the past 2000 years. The main causative agent isolated from reported tuberculosis (TB) cases were Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The study focuses on the haematological and serum biochemical changes in the blood of TB infected Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). Twelve apparently healthy elephants and twelve TB infected elephants (confirmed by trunk wash smear positive for acid fast bacilli) were selected for the study. Neonates, pregnant elephants and elephants in musth were not included in the study. The study animals were subjected to haematological and serum biochemical evaluation. The data were analysed statistically. The results showed a significant increase in total leukocyte count, lymphocyte count, monocyte count, thrombocyte count and ESR in TB affected animals compared with apparently healthy animals. Serum creatinine, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, globulin was significantly high in TB affected animals compared with healthy controls. Assessment of haematological and serum biochemical parameters in TB affected elephants aid in diagnosis and tracking of the infection

Acoustic structure and information content of trumpets in female Asian elephants (Elephas maximus)

Most studies on elephant vocal communication have focused on the low-frequency rumble, with less effort on other vocalization types such as the most characteristic elephant call, the trumpet. Yet, a better and more complete understanding of the elephant vocal system requires investigating other vocalization types and their functioning in more detail as well. We recorded adult female Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) at a private facility in Nepal and analyzed 206 trumpets from six individuals regarding their frequency, temporal and contour shape, and related acoustic parameters of the fundamental frequency. We also tested for information content regarding individuality and context. Finally, we recorded the occurrence of non-linear phenomena such as bifurcation, biphonation, subharmonics and deterministic chaos. We documented a mean fundamental frequency ± SD of 474 ± 70 Hz and a mean duration ± SD of 1.38 ± 1.46 s (Nindiv. = 6, Ncalls = 206). Our study reveals that the contour of the fundamental frequency of trumpets encodes information about individuality, but we found no evidence for trumpet subtypes in greeting versus disturbance contexts. Non-linear phenomena prevailed and varied in abundance among individuals, suggesting that irregularities in trumpets might enhance the potential for individual recognition. We propose that trumpets in adult female Asian elephants serve to convey an individual’s identity as well as to signal arousal and excitement to conspecifics.

The habitat characteristics of Sumatran Elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) in the forest of Serbajadi sub-district Aceh Province

The purpose of this study was to determine the habitat characteristics of the Sumatran Elephant in the Serbajadi District Forest. Data collection by looking at the use of habitat which is characterized by the distribution of faeces found in various habitat units in the home range of the Sumatran Elephant. The method used is observation with a track with a size of 3,600 m which is divided into 20 observation plots with a distance between plots of 100 m. The data obtained in the field were analyzed descriptively and presented in tabular form. The results of this study indicate that the Habitat Characteristics of the Sumatran Elephant in the Serbajadi District Forest chose habitat units with very dense canopy cover (>75%), moderate feed availability (26-50%), rare mineral source trees availability (< 3 trees/plot). availability of sparse scrubbing trees (<3 trees/plot), close to primary forest (0-500 m), low land elevation (0- 400 masl), gentle slope (0-20°), close to water sources (0-250m). Secondary forest/vegetation type and frequency of habitat use based on the findings of faeces that the Sumatran elephant most frequently visited was secondary forest than primary forest because the secondary forest was for feeding activities while the primary forest was used for resting and reproduction.

NGHIÊN CỨU SINH CẢNH VÀ THỨC ĂN CỦA LOÀI VOI CHÂU Á TẠI HUYỆN BẮC TRÀ MY VÀ HIỆP ĐỨC, TỈNH QUẢNG NAM

Ở nước ta, Voi châu Á (Elephas maximus) là loại động vật bị đe dọa, có nguy cơ tuyệt chủng. Nhằm xác định sinh cảnh sống cũng như thành phần thức ăn của đàn voi ở khu vực giáp gianh hai huyện Bắc Trà My và Hiệp Đức, bằng phương pháp điều tra theo tuyến kết hợp với phỏng vấn cộng đồng, sinh cảnh sống và thành phần thức ăn của đàn voi đã được xác định. Sinh cảnh sống của chúng là rừng kín lá rộng thường xanh mưa mùa nhiệt đới trên núi thấp, rừng thường xanh hỗn giao tre nứa - cây lá rộng, trảng cây bụi và trảng cỏ tái sinh sau nương rẫy, rừng trồng và nương rẫy. Có 45 loài thực vật được ghi nhận là thức ăn của Voi châu Á, thuộc 25 họ, 2 ngành Dương xỉ ngành Mộc lan. Trong đó, Voi châu Á sử dụng 10 loài thực vật làm thức ăn phổ biến là: Giang, Búng Báng, Móc, Lá dong, Đùng đình, Song voi, Chè vè, Cỏ chít, Nứa, Chuối rừng. Trung bình, 2 cá thể Voi trưởng thành ăn lượng thức ăn khoảng 109,5 tấn/năm. Theo ước lượng, sinh khối thức ăn trung bình của các loài được Voi châu Á sử dụng khoảng 12 tấn/ha. Do đó, với diện tích khoảng 3000 ha có khả năng cung cấp đủ thức ăn cho 2 cá thể Voi châu Á còn trong khu vực nghiên cứu. Tuy nhiên, nguồn thức ăn sẽ khan hiếm hơn vào mùa khô khi các loài măng, các loài cây thân thảo bị suy giảm.

PODODERMATITE EM ELEFANTE-ASIÁTICO (ELEPHAS MAXIMUS LINNAEUS, 1758), MANTIDO SOB CUIDADOS HUMANOS

O elefante é um dos maiores mamíferos terrestres, são carismáticos e bastante populares em jardins zoológicos. Um exemplar de elefante-asiático (Elephas maximus), fêmea, adulta, mantido sob cuidados humanos, com idade aproximada de 60 anos, pesando aproximadamente três toneladas, apresentava claudicação dos membros locomotores, relutância em se movimentar e com histórico de pododermatite em membros anteriores e posteriores. Foram observadas lesões na planta da pata com presença de secreção purulenta, hipequeratose, erosões e áreas de necrose. Com auxílio de swabs estéreis, amostras das lesões foram enviadas ao laboratório para cultura e antibiograma. O resultado laboratorial apontou o crescimento bacteriano de Klebsiella sp e Citrobacter sp. O antibiograma revelou sensibilidade para os antiobióticos: amoxicilina e ácido clavulônico, cefalexina, enrofloxacina, gentamicina, neomicina e sulfametoxazol e trimetoprim.

Tracking forest loss and fragmentation between 1930 and 2020 in Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) range in Nepal

Forest cover is the primary determinant of elephant distribution, thus, understanding forest loss and fragmentation is crucial for elephant conservation. We assessed deforestation and patterns of forest fragmentation between 1930 and 2020 in Chure Terai Madhesh Lanscape (CTML) which covers the entire elephant range in Nepal. Forest cover maps and fragmentation matrices were generated using multi-source data (Topographic maps and Landsat satellite images of 1930, 1975, 2000, and 2020) and spatiotemporal change was quantified. At present, 19,069 km2 forest cover in CTML is available as the elephant habitat in Nepal. Overall, 21.5% of elephant habitat was lost between 1930 and 2020, with a larger (12.3%) forest cover loss between 1930 and 1975. Area of the large forests (Core 3) has decreased by 43.08% whereas smaller patches (Core 2, Core 1, edge and patch forests) has increased multifold between 1930 and 2020. The continued habitat loss and fragmentation probably fragmented elephant populations during the last century and made them insular with long-term ramifications for elephant conservation and human-elephant conflict. Given the substantial loss in forest cover and high levels of fragmentation, improving the resilience of elephant populations in Nepal would urgently require habitat and corridor restoration to enable the movement of elephants.

Diet and Nurturing Behavior of Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus Linn.) in Some Selected Habitat of Northern Odisha, India

The Asian elephant's (Elephas maximus) nurturing behavior with food fondness was deliberate in Northern land of Odisha during February 2017 to December 2019.The foremost objective of the existing survey is to document the forage plant species intake by Asian elephants. Though the respective study area harbors a noble quantity of plant types, only 146 species were identified as fodder plants which have been consumed by elephants in this survey period. The food path of elephant was identified as branch flouting, bark flaking, twig infringement, flower tugging and stem twisting and uprooting in different regions of study area throughout altered seasons. Adaptation of principally browsing strategy with that of grazing around the year was related to seasonal variation of diet plants as per the availability. This survey elucidates that total 146 species of forest plants belongs to 55 Families and 19 species of non-forest plant belongs to 8 Families. The extensive consumable plant species by elephants i.e. Aegle marmelos (Bel), Careya arbore (Kumbhi), Bauhinia racemosa, Kydia calycina, Bauhinia vahli(Siali), Helicteres isora(Orola), Madhuca indica (Mahulo), Zizyphus mauritiona (BaraKoli), Artocarpus heterophyllus (Panasa), Shorea robust(Sal),Limonia acidissima (Kendu), Smilax zeylanica (Muturi) and Diosporea species. They were affectionate fruits of Mangifera indica and Artocarpus heterophyllus in summer, bamboo during rainy and Madhuca indica during winter. Minuscular analysis of elephant’s dung showing an extraordinary variation in typical dicot- monocot proportion recommended that the food plant collection of elephant was extremely seasonal and unscrupulous.