Although elephant lovers and nature lovers are at first glance distant, some figures are going to be told that will cause pain to both parties. In the last 4 years, 73 natanas have collapsed in Kerala. 29 natives lost their lives in the last one year alone. After Assam, Kerala has the largest number of Natanas. In 2018, there were 521 Nattanas in the state according to the Forest Department. By 2022, this number has reduced to 448. What is the reason for the decrease in the number of wild animals in the country even though there are people who love them dearly? Elephant researcher and scholar Marshall C. Hear Radhakrishnan: ‘Majority of the Natanas existing in Kerala are above 40 years of age. The average life expectancy of elephants is 60 to 70 years. By the time elephants reach the age of 50, various health problems are seen. Old age, ill health, arthritis and foot disease are the villains that take the lives of the natives.’ This information points to scientific management, better treatment facilities and effective research.
∙ 15 years, 1500 annas
Human-elephant conflict has always been a hot topic in forest border areas. In the past 3 years, 57 human lives have been lost in Kerala due to wild elephant attacks. There is not even an accurate estimate of the destruction of crops and houses. But, along with this, there is another figure that needs to be taken seriously. In the last 15 years, the number of wild boars that have fallen abnormally is more than 1500. These are incidents where people succumbed to death due to electrocution, being hit by a train, being chased by dogs, having explosives inside, or eating plastic waste. Researchers say that even though elephants are the official animal of the state, more scientific plans are needed to protect them.
∙ Don’t cut elephant tusks
It is estimated that 50 percent of the 40,000 Asian elephants are in India. This includes wild and wild animals. Of these, more than 6000 wild elephants are in Kerala. 448 and Nattanas. Researchers see the biggest threat facing the wild elephants in Kerala is the extinction of elephant calves. Elephant Corridors are the routes through which elephants regularly move from one forest to another forest or to different areas within the forest. If this path, which elephants travel for generations, is cut or obstructed somewhere, the elephants will try to cross it. Out of 110 elephants in India, 28 are in South India. Deforestation, roads, railway lines, mining areas, agriculture, residential areas, power lines etc. lead to cutting of elephant tusks.
∙ Don’t want a wild breeding project?
Births take place at elephant care centers in the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. But there is no such method in Kerala. Because of the legal hurdles. There is a demand to remove this and form a captive breeding program. A good example is that 80 baby elephants have been born so far in elephant breeding centers in Thailand. A captive breeding program is needed to keep the breed alive as most of the current Nattanas in Kerala are over 40 years old. A year ago, twin baby elephants were born at the Pinnawala Elephant Sanctuary in Sri Lanka. Surangi, a 25-year-old maid, gave birth to the twins. Pinnawala is also the largest elephant rehabilitation center in the world. The Pinnawala Center was launched at a time when Sri Lanka’s elephant population was in alarming decline. Elephant therapist Dr. said that this can be adopted as a good example. Jacob Cheeran says. The history of the birth of twin baby elephants named Aja and Suja at Mutumala Elephant Camp. Jacob Cheeran remembers.
∙ It will happen if agreed
The government is not the only one responsible for ensuring the protection of elephants. The forest department, elephant owners, papans, festival organizers, animal welfare officers, elephant doctors, researchers, elephant lovers and the general public have a role to play in this. This co-responsibility is also of great importance in the conservation and rehabilitation of elephants. Poachers were caught with ivory in Peachy recently. The forest department is also trying to completely eliminate elephant poaching.
English Summary: Captive elephant deaths on the rise in Kerala