Elephant

Elephants are the largest terrestrial animal alive in the earth. During Pleistocene era eleven forms of elephants lived in this world. They extended the range to every continent of the world except Australia and its associated Islands. Today just two species are found. The species Loxodonta Africana thrives in Africa and Elephas maximus inhabits Asia. They are generally referred to as African and Asian elephants respectively.


The height of an elephant is estimated by measuring the circumference of the print of its fore foot. In general twice the circumference gives the approximate height of the elephant at the shoulder.


Elephants in Nepal


In Nepal wild elephants inhabit the forests of the terai plain covering approximately 2500 km2. Out of this 1600 km2 is under protected area management. The wild elephant has been listed as endangered species in Nepal by the National parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973. Asian wild elephant are among the largest mammals listed in CITES Appendix 1 by World Conservation Union.


The decline of elephant population in Nepal did not occur until the twentieth century as in hindu mythology, elephants are worshipped as a symbol of god Ganesh. Previously a forest of low land terai was famous for its abundant wildlife stretched the entire length of Nepal. The habitat of wild elephant had been destroyed repeated by different developmental and socio-political activities throughout the history in the narrow belt of terai.


Conflict


The people destroyed the habitat of elephant to accommodate its growing population and to fulfill desire. Due to lack of foodstuffs in the forest elephants come to the village to raid the crops, destroy properties and sometimes kill humans. Such destruction by wild tusker is the serious conservation issue in our country. Conflicts between wild elephants and the people occur to a varying extent throughout its range.


Major Threats to Elephants:


Poaching
Habitat destruction
                    
                         

Elephant tusks are used to make artifacts and ornaments while elephant hair is popularly worn in gold bracelets.

WCN’S EFFORT IN CONSERVATION OF WILD ELEPHANT


Since its establishment, Wildlife Conservation Nepal has been working for the protection and conservation of protected animals like elephants by supporting enforcement agencies like national parks and district forest authorities through critical information leading to arrests of poachers and traders. WCN also carries out campaigns, training to concerned enforcement agencies and conservation advocacy programs.