Management of Isolated Elephant Population in Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India-Problems and Prospects

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) forms part of fragmented patches of forests along the Western edge of the High Ranges. Fragmentation resulted in isolation of elephant population in Idukki WLS which is cut off from other populations. A total of 23 herds of elephants were sighted during the study period within Idukki WLS and the adjacent Ayyappankovil and Nagarampara Ranges of Kottyam Division. About twenty percent of the total herds seen were of bigger herd size (ranging from 8 to 10 individuals). There was no significant seasonal variation in the proportion of solitary elephants in the study area (X2 (1, 0.01) = 2.53). Observations on population structure of elephants in Idukki reveals that the adult females constituted the major age class of the population (67.92%) followed by equal proportion of sub-adult females (7.55%). The proportion of adult males constituted 7.55% and the sub-adult males formed 3.77%. Estimation of elephants using dung count method carried out in the Idukki WLS revealed that the density of 1.072 elephants/km2. Observation on habitat utilization of elephants revealed that they mainly prefer the savannah grassland and moist deciduous habitats since it has more forage than the evergreen habitat. The study also explored the possibility of connecting the population of elephants in Idukki with the adjacent elephant population. Animals such as wild boar, elephant, monkeys, porcupine and sambar involve in crop damage in the human settlements within and adjacent areas of Idukki WLS. Crops such as tapioca, colacasia, yam, coconut, plantain, paddy, arecanut are found to be damaged by these animals. Cattle (goat, poultry and rabbit) lifting by wild dog from the human habitation were reported. To avoid humanwildlife conflict, timely payment of compensation, erecting/strengthening barriers such as trench, solar power fence and bio-fencing with planting of agave, Caesalpinia sappan, Plumbago sp. is suggested.