Elephant Population at Manas

Wild Elephant of Manas National Park

Manas National Park is the core zone of Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve. According to last census report, Manas NP has more than 500 wild elephants and its population has been increasing in recent past. But future of population depends on human attitude and stringent action. Otherwise, this flagship species of Manas have very blink future.

I love this majestic animal. I have observed their relationship with reintroduced rhinoceros at Manas. During my decade of wildlife career, I encountered more wild elephants than other wild mammals.  I always try to learn their movement pattern and it, in turn, changed my movement inside protected areas. Sometimes we suddenly encountered wild elephants but fortunately, I never experienced aggressive nature from them.

Wild Elephant Herds at Manas , April, 2017

Naturally, the elephant is a long range animal in order to survive on food and shelter. But the fragmentation of habitat due to encroachment and destruction of major migratory routes, illegal logging, expansion of agricultural land, illegal mining, monoculture tree plantation and finally increase of human population in these areas causes a threat to Chirang-Ripu elephant population. As such conservation of buffer areas of Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve is moot of concern and need war footing action to restore and protection of habitat. This threat leads human-elephant conflict in adjoining areas of protected areas. Recently one subadult male elephant was killed at the fringe of Manas National Park as a result of the conflict. This was a rare incident recent past.

Lets United to Conserve this Majestic Creature of Earth!!!!