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A recent study aims to delve into the peri-mortem and post-mortem strategies of Asian elephants, offering insights into their behavior in shared human spaces amid environmental changes.
The study area covered fragmented forests, tea estates, agricultural lands, and military establishments in the vicinity of the Gorumara Wildlife Division and Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal.

Elephants in India

	Details
Population Estimate	India hosts the largest population of wild Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus), with around 29,964 individuals, Approximately 60% of the global population (2017 census).
Leading States	Karnataka holds the highest number of elephants, followed by Assam and Kerala.
Conservation Status	IUCN Red List: Endangered. CMS: Appendix I. Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Listed under Schedule I, CITES: Appendix I.
Conservation Initiatives	Project Elephant launched in 1992, covering 23 states across India. Contributed to the increase in wild elephant population from around 25,000 in 1992 to about 30,000 in 2021. Establishment of Elephant Reserves. Total 33 in numbers covering approximately 80,777 Sq.km.

Peri-Mortem Strategies: Asian elephants were found to carry carcasses by trunks and legs before burying them in a ‘legs upright’ position.
Herding Behavior: Elephant herds exhibit avoidance behavior, choosing parallel routes to bypass paths where calf carcasses were buried.
Burial Locations: Calves were buried in irrigation drains of tea estates, indicating a preference for specific locations.
Herding Dynamics: The unique positioning of carcasses suggests careful handling by herd members, highlighting their care and affection toward deceased calves.
Space Constraints: Prioritizing the burial of the head before the feet indicates strategic decision-making in situations of spatial limitations.

Impact of Environmental Changes: Rapid environmental transformations and habitat destruction push elephants to explore human-dominated areas, resulting in the emergence of novel behaviors.
Limited Documentation: While similar behaviors are documented in African contexts, elephant calf burial in the Asian context remains largely undocumented.

Elephants exhibit a wide range of social behaviors that highlight their complex and intelligent nature.

Matrilineal Social Structure: Elephants live in multi-tiered societies, starting with family units consisting of related females and their calves. These family units form bonds with other families, creating clans and sub-populations. The herds are led by a senior matriarch who makes decisions on movement and resources.
Communication: Elephants communicate through various calls, gestures, and physical contact. They have a sophisticated communication system involving over sixty different calls, including trumpets and rumbles that convey information across long distances.
Empathy and Mourning: Elephants display empathy by comforting distressed companions through physical contact and vocal sounds. They have been observed mourning their dead, showing behaviors akin to mourning seen in humans.
Cooperative Behavior: Elephant herds cooperate in raising their young, with adolescent females assisting in caring for calves. They also engage in cooperative actions like adopting an infant tormented by predators or helping wounded elephants by stopping bleeding and providing support.
Individual Personalities: Elephants have distinct personalities that influence their interactions within the group. Some elephants show strong leadership qualities, while others are more introverted. These individual traits impact how they interact with other elephants.

Q. With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements:

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 4 only

(d) 1, 3 and 4 only

Post your responses here.
1
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