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Increase in male-female ratio of elephants

V. Paneesha

Census indicates there is one male elephant for every four female ones in BRT sanctuary

Good news: The increase in the sex ratio among elephants augurs well for the future of the animals.

CHAMARAJANAGAR: The elephant census in the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (BRT) Wildlife Sanctuary has indicated an increase in the male-female ratio of the pachyderms. This augurs well for the future of the gentle giants roaming in the wild.

The census was conducted for three days in the first week of May as part of an exercise held simultaneously in Bandipur, Nagarhole and other wildlife sanctuaries to ascertain the approximate number of wild elephants in the country. It used the block count method, line transect method and water-hole count to examine family size, elephant structure and population trends among the pachyderms.

According to information available from the office of the Chamarajanagar Wildlife Division, while nearly 30 per cent of the forest area was covered in the block count method, dung counting was undertaken in the line transects. Selected water holes in the forests were observed to count the numbers, which may throw light on the family size and elephant structure.

Spread over 583 sq. km, these thick jungles are home to elephants, tigers, chital and other herbivores. The census has indicated that there is one male elephant for every four female elephants in the region and the sex ratio has been described as healthy. The male-female sex ratio of elephants is important as elephant groups in forests have been isolated owing to the fragmentation and degradation of its habitat. It is said that the increase in the sex ratio of the pachyderm rules out in-breeding or genetic degeneration.

Around 30 per cent of the forest area was covered in the block count method and the density of elephants in the sanctuary was calculated at one animal per sq. km. The largest herd of elephants was found in the Kollegal range where 192 elephants were spotted. The Yelandur range has 134 elephants followed by the Ounjur, K. Gudi and Bylore forests where 128, 94 and 38 elephants were noticed respectively.

The number of elephants spotted during the census was placed at 600, an increase of 103 elephants since the last census. Many conservationists believe that the protection and improvement of the habitat and provision of food and water in forests led to the increase in the number of pachyderms. The census is likely to throw up figures that will help in conservation of Asian elephants.

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