Health Status Increase in density during summer and conflict from human settlements can impair the heath status of the elephants. High level of cattle grazing is an important point to be mentioned. Heavy internal helminthiasis observed in the dung samples of the elephant especially during the first wet season (92%). Prevalence of parasitism, up to 87% was also observed during summer. (Feb, March, April of 1999, 2000, 2001 - 94 samples). Helminthiasis is important during first wet season, when elephants tend to graze more than browse as in the dry deciduous forests. (Easa, et al. 1996). An increase in intermediate host of the helminth parasite can also aggravate the situation (Soulsby, 1976). So due to competition for grasslands with domestic animals the chances of internal parasitic infestation are more. Another point is that dung heap, and presumably faecal boli of cattle can acts as incubators by trapping heat, but they also prevent migration of larva unless their hard dry outer covering is softened by rain. Under relatively dry conditions and on short pastures dung heaps can act as reservoirs of larva for up to five months in summer. Larvae are released only after a constant heavy rain, which softens the covering and aids the release. At the same time mortality due to parasitism also high during summer. Helminth parasites are usually encountered during post-mortem, and few of them are reported to be the cause of death. Even though elephant parasites are species specific, cross infestation from cattle is possible. The stress they cause can impart an increase in the parasitic load thus causing weakness of the host. Few reports of haemorrhagic septicaemia like mortality were observed in elephants, especially during pre-monsoon period. Morbidity and mortality in domestic cattle population are also not negligible. However the relation in between them could not be quantified. Contamination and concentration of pathogenic organisms in water sources during summer is an important threat to elephants. Cross infection from domestic cattle cannot be under estimated especially when we consider the diseases like Leptospirosis. There were few nephritis conditions observed during summer season, but the causative organism could not be identified. The contamination of water sources with pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers can also adversely affect the health status of the animal. It is of great importance when considering Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, where settlers occupy most of the water sources (Vayals). It is evident that stress in elephants due to man animal conflict imparts serious impacts on the health of the elephant populations in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. |
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