Demographic and health status of captive elephants around Chitwan National Park, Nepal

A study of captive elephants around Chitwan National Park, Nepal, reveals critical insights into their demographic and health status. The research found 97 captive elephants (16 males, 81 females) in Sauraha, with 17 born to captive mothers. These elephants travel up to 84 km daily, carrying an average of 450 kg, primarily for tourism or conservation tasks like patrolling and transportation. The most prevalent health issue is tuberculosis (27%), followed by parasitic infections, foot problems, and colic. The study highlights the urgent need for effective policies to conserve this endangered species in captivity. Data was collected through field surveys, key-informant interviews, and questionnaires involving 78 mahouts.

GAUTUM, S., & KOJU, N. P. (2022). Demographic and health status of captive elephants around Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity, 23(3). https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d230353