Habitat and Population Challenges

• Elephants face increasing vulnerability due to shrinking habitats and rising fragmentation exacerbated by climate change.
• Factors contributing to their susceptibility include:

1. Declining population sizes
2. Sensitivity to high temperatures
3. Competition from invasive plant species disrupting food sources
4. Heightened susceptibility to diseases

Elephant Mortality: Key Trends

• Younger elephants, particularly those under 10 years of age, face the highest risk of mortality.
• The mortality rate for calves is approximately 40%.
• The increase in deaths among calves is primarily due to Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesviruses – Haemorrhagic Disease (EEHV-HD).

Influence of Herd Size on Survival:

• A recent study in Sri Lanka highlights potential mitigating factors against the herpesvirus.
• Calves in larger herds exhibit better survival rates due to shared immunity.
• Exposure to various virus strains within larger herds helps calves develop antibodies, improving their chances of survival.

• India hosts the largest population of wild Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus), with around 29,964 individuals,
• Approximately 60% of the global population (2017 census).

• IUCN Red List:  Endangered.
• CMS: Appendix I.
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Listed under Schedule I,
• CITES: Appendix I.

• Project Elephant launched in 1992, covering 23 states across India.
• India is home to more than 60% of all wild Asian elephants.
• Contributed to the increase in wild elephant population from around 25,000 in 1992 to about 30,000 in 2021.
• Establishment of Elephant Reserves. Total 33 in numbers covering approximately 80,777 Sq.km.

PYQ:

[2020] With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements:

1. The leader of an elephant group is a female.
2. The maximum gestation period can be 22 months.
3. An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only.
4. Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 4 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 3 and 4 only