(IN): Elephants in Jim Corbett under threat

June 19, 2008

Link:

%2011:05:00%20AM

*Elephants in Jim Corbett under threat*

Dinesh Mansera

Thursday, June 12, 2008 (Jim Corbett National Park)

The elephant population at the Jim Corbett National Park is under threat

with the death of eight elephants in the park during the past five months.

The population of the elephants in the park has been falling steadily and

the recent deaths should be seen as a warning by the park authorities.

The Jim Corbett National Park is one of the last havens for the Indian

elephant.

During the last few months, a dead elephant has been found almost every

three weeks, sometimes months after their deaths.

''We have found the body of an elephant. It is about two months old. It is

decomposed but all the organs are safe. The body was found by forest guards

who were out on census work,'' said Mohan Kunwar, forest official at the

Corbett National Park.

The park spread over 1300 square km has just over 600 guards and questions

are being raised on just how safe the animals - specially the smaller ones

are in the park.

In 1997, Corbett Park had 746 elephants. In 2008, the number is down by over

100 and is 622.

Authorities have ruled out poaching but blame the deaths on the

discontinuity in the elephant corridor.

''There has been so much construction from the Sharda till the Yamuna.

Construction of new highways has meant that the elephants can no longer move

across forests, this is affecting their population,'' said Dr Rajiv

Bhratari, Director, Jim Corbett National Park.

The average age of an elephant is anywhere between 80 and 90 years. However,

in Corbett, they don't seem to live beyond 35 years. And despite assurances

from park officials, the rising deaths and late recoveries are raising more

questions than answers.

--

United against elephant polo

Recommended Posts