By Ifham Nizam
The first-ever island-wide census on Sri Lanka’s wild elephants will be held between August 13 -14, the Department of Wildlife Conservation said yesterday.
Biodiversity and Elephant Conservation Trust Managing Trustee Jayantha Jayewardene says there are also two other methods of estimating an elephant population, either via line transect or dung count.
"The Department of Wildlife Conservation should also consider these as viable options. I think that it is better to start the census in small selected areas than to undertake it on an island-wide basis in one go.", he told The Sunday Island.
Jayewardene, one of the foremost authorities on elephant conservation, believes closer supervision of the activity will result in better and more dependable results.
"If the census is spread thin on the ground there is a possibility of the data being diluted," he warned.The Department’s statistics indicate that 1369 elephants were killed within the last decade. The human-elephant conflict resulted in the deaths of 150 elephants, while between 50 and 70 human were also reported killed.
It is estimated that the elephant population has increased steadily since 2007, and the current count is believed to be around 5,000 and 6,000 or even higher.
However, some experts claim that the rate is between 4,500 and 5,000. They argue that a the mere census would not achieve anything unless existing policies at preservation are implemented.
Agrarian Services and Wildlife Minister S. M. Chandrasena said the census would give an indication as to what steps should be taken to minimize the human-elephant conflict in the country.
He said that farmer-elephant conflict which was not only a social issue but also a major economic problem as elephants annually destroyed food crops worth million of rupees while people continued to encroach on elephant territory.
The census will be conducted by the Department with the assistance of a large number of wildlife officers, rangers and also with the participation of villagers.
The elephant census in August will take place under the guidance of American and Indian experts, Wildlife Conservation Department Director General Dr. Chandrawansa Pathiraja said.
He said that more than 1,000 wildlife officers were being trained to undertake the census which was going to be more comprehensive than the previous one which was conducted in selected locations. "This is the first time that the entire island will be subject to a census".
Dr. Pathiraja said the department was studying available data and demographic records of elephants and their behavioural patterns in the national parks to make the census a success. In this regard, a comprehensive workshop was held earlier this year with the participation of experts from the US and India.
The previous surveys carried out by the Department of Wildlife Conservation was based only on the elephant population in and around National Parks.
Under the envisaged plans, survey teams will be placed in each and every elephant habitat in the country, he said.
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