Struggle for Existence: Tusker's Combat for Space in Shivalik landscape, North India

Tuskers in north India are combating for existence; and in this combat, either they are dying or killing people. Due to shrinkage of their large migratory corridors, slowly they lead to adapt to exist with humans and this has increased serious man–elephant conflict around Rajaji National Park and adjoining habitats. Since March 2007, 34 male elephants have died due to various reasons accounted primarily for unnatural deaths. However, 59 human deaths were also occurred since September 2006 in encounter with elephant at different parts of Rajaji–Corbett National Parks and corridor. The mortality rate for males was significantly higher than for females. Here, I report on the tusker’s battle for existence in Shivalik Elephant Reserve and conservation status. Such reports are highly required to know the status and our competence in illustrating success and failures of wildlife management besides achieving the goals of Project Elephant. Drastic changes in the land use pattern, increasing vehicle traffic on motor roads running across elephant’s habitat and ongoing anthropogenic activities inside the forest are expected to lead to a severe threat and unusual behavioural changes in elephants. In addition, some changes in tusker’s behavioural responses were also observed, which corroborate their irate behaviour. Understanding how animal populations react to such vast adverse activities and their behavioural response is thus essential for addressing future challenges for wildlife management and conservation. There have been little scientific studies available on such type of catastrophic impacts even though such reports are highly required to know the status and our competence in illustrating success and failures of wildlife management besides in conservation of an endangered wildlife.