Forest department begins profiling straying elephants to tackle rising human-wildlife conflict in north Kerala
The Forest department has begun profiling individual elephants that repeatedly stray into human settlements, in an effort to better understand their movement patterns and improve
The Forest department has begun profiling individual elephants that repeatedly stray into human settlements, in an effort to better understand their movement patterns and improve conflict mitigation in north Kerala. Speaking to The Hindu, Chief Conservator of Forests (Northern Circle) B.N. Anjankumar said the decision to monitor and profile wild animals, particularly elephants, was taken in view of the growing incidents of human-wildlife conflict, especially in Aralam and areas adjoining the forest fringes. He said Rapid Response Teams, field staff, and forest watchers are documenting habitual straying elephants through photographs, videos, and field reports after officials observed that some animals follow predictable behavioural patterns, including entering human settlements, particularly between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m., when human activity is at its lowest, feeding in agricultural areas, and returning to the forest before daybreak.
He said the profiling exercise is an operational measure based on field observations and not a scientific research study. The department has found that only a few specific elephants or herds repeatedly venture into human habitations, suggesting they may have become accustomed to agricultural areas as a source of food. As part of this exercise, KM1, the tusker that has repeatedly entered the Aralam farm region and nearby rehabilitation colonies, was identified, and a decision has been taken to tranquillise and fit it with a radio collar before releasing it into its natural habitat away from human settlements. Anjankumar further pointed out that wild animal intrusions into human settlements, especially in Aralam, Kottiyoor, and other forest fringes, consistently peak during the early monsoon months of July and August, despite forests having abundant food and water during this period.
He backed the claim by stating that the trend is based on incident data collected over several years, though the exact reasons require detailed scientific study. He also said the observations are based on records maintained by the Divisional Forest Emergency Operations Centre, where every report of elephant movement, tiger or leopard presence, and other wildlife intrusions is logged. Analysis of the records shows that the highest number of incidents is consistently reported during July and August, he added. “Not all elephants will be marked and named, but only those pachyderms that are found repeatedly creating problems or exhibiting aggressive behaviour. This will help us understand their behaviour, the reasons behind it, their movement patterns and pathways,” he said. On scientific research into the issue, Mr. Anjankumar said the Forest department is considering requesting the Centre of Excellence for Human-Wildlife Conflict Studies, established by the Wildlife Institute of India at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History campus, to undertake a carrying capacity study in the Wayanad landscape.
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