Usually high-tension electric lines are connected to electric fences thus causing electrocution and instant death in elephants. Crude explosives are used for chasing away elephants and are also baited concealing in ripened jackfruits causing severe head injury and death, when eaten accidentally. The use of pesticides is a new trend. Carbofuran (Furdan - a carbamate insecticide in granular form) is commonly used. Usually it is baited in ripe pineapples, causing death. During the time of post-mortem especially after putrefaction of the carcass, this will often go undetected by the veterinarians. Last but not the least common method is shotgun fire, causing multiple injuries to the elephants including blindness. These wounds become chronic, suppurative and leading to death. Urea mixed with molasses is another method used by farmers. In these cases, during post-mortem when the stomach is opened ammoniacal smell is noticed. The presence of urea is also confirmed by chemical tests. Around 60% of adult male autopsies revealed chronic septic wounds and sinuses on the body. It is also noticed that only the adult males are involved in crop raiding and naturally mortality is reported mostly in this category. Sex Wise Trend in Mortality It is seen that mortality in males was 56% and in females was 44%. Age Group Wise Mortality When we consider the age group, 59% death was adults, 16% sub-adults, 6% juveniles and 19% calves. Sex and Age Group Together It is interesting to note that adult male mortality is around 33%. This is very important when we consider the fact that sex ratio of adult male to female in the population was 1:40 (Easa, et al., 1996). Since adult males are primarily involved in crop raiding, the stress due to conflict cannot be under estimated on this mortality rate. Another point is that of calf mortality. There is an increase in the calf mortality in the sanctuary and increase in number of abandoned calves, mostly during the first wet season. Any relation to the to the herd size, if any is yet be proved. Large herd size is ordinarily a measure of the ecological health (Eltringham, 1977). However in this context herd size reflects dry conditions prevailing in the adjoining reserves. Rather, increased congregation is an obligatory situation. |
| Services |
| Free eMagazine Animal News & Articles 24 Hour Open Pet Store Online Query Services Veterinary Search Centre |
|
|
| © Cheerans Lab (P) Limited About us | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Contact us | Site Map |
Search anything, anytime !