Post by warsaw on Feb 28, 2016 10:15:35 GMT -9
Mortality of the Endangered Asian elephantElephasmaximusby electrocution in Odisha, IndiaNIMAINCHARANPALEI,HIMANSHUSHEKHARPALEIBHAKTAPADARBINDARATHand CHANDRASEKHARK
AbstractElephants are threatened globally by habitat loss,poaching and accelerating levels of human–elephant con-flict. In the state of Odisha, east India, electrocution bydomestic electric power lines is causing mortality of theAsian elephantElephas maximus. We collated data onelephant mortality from such electrocution in the villagessurrounding elephant habitat for a period of12years(2001–2012). During this period118elephants were killedin91incidences. Most deaths (73.68%) were a result ofaccidental contact with electric power lines whilst elephantswere moving into agricultural areas for crop raiding. Theincreasing human population, poor electrical infrastructureand ivory poaching pose serious threats to the continuedsurvival of these elephants. To reduce elephant mortalityfrom electrocution and to ensure the long-term survival ofthis population of elephants we recommend strengtheningof the electrical infrastructure, minimizing habitat destruc-tion, increasing public awareness of the problem, andstronger law enforcement
In2011the total human population of Odisha was41,974,358, with a density of269km−2, the majority of whom(80%) are rural (Anon.,2011). The principal crop is rice,mainly cultivated in the monsoon (July–October) andharvested from October to December. Most precipitationfalls during the monsoon, with a mean annual total rainfallof1,451mm; temperatures range from a minimum of2°C inwinter to a maximum of45°C in summer (Anon.,2012).There are two types of power lines in the state. Supply powerlines consist of two parallel wires at a height of5.5m,carrying220–440volts. High-tension power lines consist ofthree sets of parallel wires, with the lowest set at a height of6.5m, carrying11,000–44,000volts (Odisha ElectricityRegulation Commission, Bhubaneswar, pers. comm.). Thenetwork of above-ground power lines has increased in thelast30years, accompanied by an increase in infrastructure,including roads, canals, railway lines and power generationand distribution facilities (Dash & Sangita,2011).We searched local and English language media sourcesand reports of government and non-governmental organi-zations for information on elephant deaths from electro-cution during a12-year period (2001–2012). All data wereverified by visits to sites and by conducting informalinterviews with government officials, local people and localcommunity leaders.
Mortalities were coded by location (categorized intofour broad habitat types: agricultural areas, reserveforests, sanctuaries and near highways), time of death andinformation on the age and sex of the elephants. Mortalitiesfrom power lines were categorized into intentional andunintentional electrocution. Intentional describes an ele-phant killed by a power line used to protect a cropfield, orfor poaching. The technique used for such killing consists ofa wire, with an insulated rod or dry bamboo cane, attachedto a high-tension power line running through a know
elephant path. The wires are secured at the approximatechest height of an elephant, and the animal normally diesinstantly
in_Odisha_IndiaWhen an elephant continuously raids a crop the localcommunity may deliberately kill it using an electric powerline, poisoning or afirearm. Gubbi et al. (2014) also reportedelectrocution of elephants on farms in the state ofKarnataka.
www.researchgate.net/publication/263580226_Mortality_of_the_Endangered_Asian_elephant_Elephas_maximus_by_electrocution_
AbstractElephants are threatened globally by habitat loss,poaching and accelerating levels of human–elephant con-flict. In the state of Odisha, east India, electrocution bydomestic electric power lines is causing mortality of theAsian elephantElephas maximus. We collated data onelephant mortality from such electrocution in the villagessurrounding elephant habitat for a period of12years(2001–2012). During this period118elephants were killedin91incidences. Most deaths (73.68%) were a result ofaccidental contact with electric power lines whilst elephantswere moving into agricultural areas for crop raiding. Theincreasing human population, poor electrical infrastructureand ivory poaching pose serious threats to the continuedsurvival of these elephants. To reduce elephant mortalityfrom electrocution and to ensure the long-term survival ofthis population of elephants we recommend strengtheningof the electrical infrastructure, minimizing habitat destruc-tion, increasing public awareness of the problem, andstronger law enforcement
In2011the total human population of Odisha was41,974,358, with a density of269km−2, the majority of whom(80%) are rural (Anon.,2011). The principal crop is rice,mainly cultivated in the monsoon (July–October) andharvested from October to December. Most precipitationfalls during the monsoon, with a mean annual total rainfallof1,451mm; temperatures range from a minimum of2°C inwinter to a maximum of45°C in summer (Anon.,2012).There are two types of power lines in the state. Supply powerlines consist of two parallel wires at a height of5.5m,carrying220–440volts. High-tension power lines consist ofthree sets of parallel wires, with the lowest set at a height of6.5m, carrying11,000–44,000volts (Odisha ElectricityRegulation Commission, Bhubaneswar, pers. comm.). Thenetwork of above-ground power lines has increased in thelast30years, accompanied by an increase in infrastructure,including roads, canals, railway lines and power generationand distribution facilities (Dash & Sangita,2011).We searched local and English language media sourcesand reports of government and non-governmental organi-zations for information on elephant deaths from electro-cution during a12-year period (2001–2012). All data wereverified by visits to sites and by conducting informalinterviews with government officials, local people and localcommunity leaders.
Mortalities were coded by location (categorized intofour broad habitat types: agricultural areas, reserveforests, sanctuaries and near highways), time of death andinformation on the age and sex of the elephants. Mortalitiesfrom power lines were categorized into intentional andunintentional electrocution. Intentional describes an ele-phant killed by a power line used to protect a cropfield, orfor poaching. The technique used for such killing consists ofa wire, with an insulated rod or dry bamboo cane, attachedto a high-tension power line running through a know
elephant path. The wires are secured at the approximatechest height of an elephant, and the animal normally diesinstantly
in_Odisha_IndiaWhen an elephant continuously raids a crop the localcommunity may deliberately kill it using an electric powerline, poisoning or afirearm. Gubbi et al. (2014) also reportedelectrocution of elephants on farms in the state ofKarnataka.
www.researchgate.net/publication/263580226_Mortality_of_the_Endangered_Asian_elephant_Elephas_maximus_by_electrocution_