The Asian Elephant
Ecology and Management

An ecological analysis of elephant-human interaction and its implications for the conservation of elephants.

Raman Sukumar (Author)

9780521437585, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 11 March 1993

272 pages, 71 b/w illus. 52 tables
23.6 x 19.1 x 1.7 cm, 0.49 kg

'There has been a lot of woolly stuff on elephants lately, but this is a real field science. The Asian Elephant is definitely a book to own.' Bookshelf

The Asian elephant has had a unique cultural association with people. Unfortunately, elephants and people have also been in conflict, resulting in the decline in elephants throughout their former range in Southern Asia. This book provides an ecological analysis of elephant-human interaction and its implication for the conservation of elephants. The foraging habits of elephants and their impact on vegetation are considered, along with the interactions that occur between elephants and humans. The ecological data provide the basis for recommendations on elephant conservation and management, keeping in view the socio-economic imperatives of the Asian region. This first comprehensive account of Asian elephant ecology will be of particular interest to conservation biologists and mammalogists.

Foreword
Acknowledgements
1. The historical background
2. Status and distribution of the Asian elephant
3. The main study area and study methods
4. Movement and habitat utilization
5. Feeding and nutrition
6. Impact on the vegetation and carrying capacity
7. Crop raiding by elephants
8. Manslaughter by elephants
9. Habitat manipulation by people
10. Elephant slaughter by people
11. Population dynamics
12. Conservation and management
Appendices
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Conservation of wildlife & habitats [RNKH], Zoology: Mammals [PSVW7]