Wild Asian elephants in northeast India travel hundreds of miles in search of food, water, and mates. They have likely moved through the vast floodplains of the Brahmaputra River in the Indian state of Assam for centuries. However, more than 65% of the habitat north of the river has been lost in the past few decades to agriculture and settlements, and conflict between humans and elephants has been steadily increasing ever since. Human-elephant conflict leading to the destruction of crops and property as well as human death and injury have resulted in retaliatory killing of elephants.
From 2010-2019, 761 people and 249 elephants were killed in Assam as a direct consequence of human-elephant conflict. This conflict translates to the severe psychological trauma of living in constant fear—disproportionately impacting communities that often face systemic barriers, have incomes well below the poverty line, and less access to economic opportunities—and further underscores the need for coexistence of humans and elephants.
How elephant collaring is helping people and wildlife
From 2010-2019, 761 people and 249 elephants were killed in Assam as a direct consequence of human-elephant conflict. This conflict translates to the severe psychological trauma of living in constant fear—disproportionately impacting communities that often face systemic barriers, have incomes well below the poverty line, and less access to economic opportunities—and further underscores the need for coexistence of humans and elephants.
How elephant collaring is helping people and wildlife