Context

• Kerala’s forests have recorded 845 elephant deaths between 2015 and 2023.

Key Highlights

• Young elephants, particularly those under 10 years of age, are most at risk of mortality, which is worryingly high at around 40%.
• Cause of death: Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesviruses – Haemorrhagic Disease (EEHV-HD)

Larger herds of Elephants have better survival rates:

• The population estimation report of Elephants underscores the need to restore natural habitats and prevent fragmentation of elephant herds to prevent EEHV-HD.

Key factors contributing to Elephants' susceptibility:

• Declining population sizes
• Sensitivity to high temperatures
• Competition from invasive plant species disrupting their food sources, and 
• Heightened susceptibility to diseases

India’s Initiatives related to elephant conservation:

• “Project Elephant”, 1992
• “RE-HAB” Project, 2021
• "Plan B": Introduced by North Frontier Railway
• 33 elephant reserves were established in 14 major elephant-related states.
• In 2010, it was declared the 'Natural Heritage Animal' of India.

Conservation Status

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List:

• African Forest Elephant (Loxodonta Cyclotis)- Critically Endangered
• African Savanna Elephant (Loxodonta Africana)- Endangered
• Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus)- Endangered

Convention of the Migratory species (CMS):

• African Forest Elephant: Appendix II
• Asian Elephant: Appendix I
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I

Extra Facts:

• Highest number of elephants: Karnataka (6,049), Assam (5,719) and Kerala (3,054)
• Country with the largest population of elephants: Botswana
• World Elephant Day: 12 August