Why in news
Kerala’s forests recorded 845 elephant deaths between 2015 and 2023, with studies indicating an increasing trend in the death rate over time
The findings were given in the report of an elephant population estimation undertaken in the State’s four elephant reserves.
An analysis also highlights a stark trend: younger elephants, particularly those under 10 years of age, face the highest risk of mortality, with an alarming rate of approximately 40%.
This increase in deaths among calves has been attributed to elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesviruses – Haemorrhagic Disease (EEHV-HD), that coexists with elephants.
Current threats
Elephants have been facing increasing vulnerability due to shrinking habitats and rising fragmentation exacerbated by climate change.
Key factors contributing to their susceptibility include declining population sizes, sensitivity to high temperatures, competition from invasive plant species disrupting their food sources, and heightened sensitivity to diseases.
Critical variables influencing elephant distribution patterns, includes: land-use changes, water balance in the climate, temperature fluctuations, and disturbances are induced by human activities
Recognising the need for a systematic approach to understand and mitigate elephant deaths, the study has recommended a structured protocol akin to Tamil Nadu’s Elephant Death Audit Framework (EDAF).
The proposed framework would facilitate comprehensive investigations into the causes of elephant deaths, that would help to identify patterns, assess threats, and implement targeted conservation measures effectively
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