Presentation Details
| Understanding the behavioral and genetic variation of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in Sri Lanka Julia Brzezicki1, Chase LaDue2, Rajnish Vandercone3, Bruce A.Schulte1. 1NC State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.2Oklahoma City Zoo, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.3University of Peradeniya, Kandy Sri Lanka |
Abstract
The North Central Province of Sri Lanka struggles with high rates of Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC), especially crop-raiding, due to increasing overlap between human and elephant ranges. Once considered a continuous island elephant population, recent research supports the delineation of three genetic elephant populations formed from habitat fragmentation. Understanding how differences in phenotype and the environment alter elephant behavior can help explain the variation in HEC events. A previous study by our team found evidence for individual behavioral variation between five behavior categories along different social and environmental contexts on a subset of wild elephants in Sri Lanka, providing evidence of personalities. Therefore, by studying the intrinsic (genetic) and extrinsic (environmental) factors that influence elephants to engage in HEC, it may be possible to uncover patterns associated with crop-raiding for management purposes. This proposed study will investigate: 1) Differences in personality types and connection to HEC; 2) Overall genetic variation and relatedness of the elephants in the North Central Province; and 3) Diet composition analysis in connection to HEC.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
Content Locked. Log into a registered attendee account to access this presentation.