Abstract
Elephants generally require a large area of habitat, and usually avoid human settlements and agricultural lands. However, less protected agricultural lands such as Chenas are vulnerable during droughts where food is scarce. If available, grasslands are highly preferred by elephants, and forest lands are less preferred compared to scrub lands. According to past research, it was estimated that Sri Lankan female elephants have home ranges of about 29.6 – 160.7 km 2 . The objective of this study was to access the seasonal changes of home ranges and the habitat selection of elephants in Southern and North- Central Provinces of Sri Lanka. This study also attempted to estimate the size of the home range using satellite telemetry data collected for two study sites with minimum convex polygon approach. Seasonal home ranges and home range core areas were derived using 95% and 50% Nonparametric Kernel Utilization Distribution. The land use selection was analysed using the Jacob’s Index and the expected proportional usage of habitats were calculated. The estimates were evaluated against the Bonferroni’s simultaneous confidence intervals. The results identified that average size of the home range of female herds during the dry season is about 73 km 2 . The seasonal fluctuation of elephant home range lies within 12.12- 73.07 km 2 . As identified by the present study, the maximum size of the core of the home range where elephants spend more time is 25.76 km 2 . It suggests that preferences and spatial requirements highlighted by this study should be taken into consideration when the interventions are made on manipulation of the home range of elephants for management requirements. The geo-informatics approach used in the study could also be used effectively in implementing such interventions. Tropical Agricultural Research Vol. 26 (2): 248 – 260 (2015)
Highlights
The elephant survey conducted in 2012 suggests that, more than 5,879 wild elephants exist in Sri Lanka (Department of Wildlife Conservation, 2013)
The maximum size of the seasonal home range was generally shown during the dry season
In North-Central herd, the maximum seasonal home range was observed in the 2nd Dry Season (June– Sept.)
Summary
The elephant survey conducted in 2012 suggests that, more than 5,879 wild elephants exist in Sri Lanka (Department of Wildlife Conservation, 2013). Sri Lanka holds an important position with regard to Asian elephant conservation as a country with the highest density of elephants (Fernando et al, 2011). According to Baskaran et al (1995) home ranges of Sri Lankan elephants are relatively small compared to that of. Home Range and Habitat use of Elephants. Home ranges of Sri Lankan male elephants vary from 53.6-346 km and in the case of females, it ranges within 29.6-160.7 km (Weerakoon et al, 2003). According to Weerakoon et al (2003) Sri Lankan elephants show a high fidelity to home ranges
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
