ReadingAnimals

The Month of Elephants series continues with a quick look at some of the hi-tech solutions that are being being put to the test for minimizing human-elephant conflict and improving elephant protection.

The first item is a National Geographic video that comes courtesy of a post over at Ethics and Animals - Managing elephant populations through birth control vaccine. (Tip of the hat!)

At one site in South Africa, scientists are testing an immuno-contraceptive, that is a method of birth control that works via effects on the immune response rather than using traditional hormonal approaches.

This method is not without controversy. Specifically there are some concerns about the effects for long term fertility. That said, one is most certainly infertile once shot dead as part of the government-sanctioned killing in SA.

Another example of hi-tech solutions being used in conservation is microchip identification. In some Indian cities, elephants are getting an identification chip to ensure that wild and semi-tame elephants are not captured and used in exhibition or performance. The first stage of the program was to census those elephants who are already being used for labor or exhibition by private and government parties.

Suparna Ganguly, who is involved in the survey for the last three years, said that the Centre is concerned about the condition of captive elephants. She said the captive elephants are kept in a small space without much exercise and also without variety of food which the wild elephants are used to. They suffer from malnutrition or are overweight and die a silent death. They are made to overwork in extreme weather, which often affects their health.

According to news reports, the microchip program, which had been voluntary, became mandatory as of June 1, 2008.