Dear Friend,
We hope that you received our eNewsletter that was sent out in the first week of July and that you enjoyed reading it. If you did not receive it you can view it at www.slwcs.org/eNewsletter.
This eNewsletter is an urgent appeal requesting your support to help conserve a critically endangered population of elephants. Their habitat is being destroyed due to a large hydro power and irrigation development project in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The largest concentration of Sri Lankan elephants are found in this province.
The Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society has been requested by the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) and the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka (MASL) to develop solutions and strategies to address land use, livelihoods, human-elephant conflicts and elephant conservation issues that will arise due to the Morgahakanda and Kaluganga Development Projects of the Mahaweli Development Program.
We have been conducting field work with the support of foreign and local volunteers, including groups of students from the Peradeniya University. The information that is been gathered by the SLWCS will contribute tremendously to the ongoing discussions to develop solutions to address the land use, livelihood and environmental issues especially human elephant conflicts (HEC) that will arise due to these two projects. The results of the field surveys that we have conducted up to now are summarized below. As both development projects are ongoing we need to speed up the information gathering process by running multiple survey teams in this vast area so that we can develop solutions that can be applied immediately.
Several surveys were conducted to gather data on socio economic status, elephant populations, distribution and habitats giving special attention to the increase in HEC that will occur in the development as well as in the adjacent areas. The study gave priority to HEC because the success of the overall development project highly depends on mitigating HEC successfully. We already observe a major hindrance to the successful mitigation of HEC due to the fact that the development and resettlement sites have been pre-selected by the MASL before this study. Therefore the data from our field studies will help the MASL to select alternative sites to relocate some of the development programs and resettlements.
The field studies consists of socio economic and elephant surveys to collect baseline data. The elephant surveys were initiated at the beginning of the dry season and covered the total area of the Kaluganga Development Scheme.
The objectives of the surveys were to:
- Estimate the elephant populations in the area.
- Identify elephant ranging areas.
- Assessment of habitats and habitat suitability.
- Identify existing elephant corridors within the impact zone
- Identify suitable areas for alternate corridors.
- Identify suitable resettlement sites.
- Identify areas to apply HEC mitigation techniques.
To achieve these objectives we conducted seven trail transects surveys in May 2008. The surveys will be repeated over two seasons to gather more information. The data that was gathered from our field research so far has provided us with the following preliminary findings:
- The elephant population in the area increases during the dry season and as a result HEC increases too.
- The increase in elephant numbers during the dry season is associated to the availability of perennial water sources in the area.
- The type and quality of habitats play a crucial role.
- The quality of the habitat determines elephant abundance in an area.
- There are two existing corridors that go through the project impact area and the proximate areas.
- According to the MASL the proposed resettlement areas are supposed to be ideal elephant habitat. They claim that a large number of herds use the area as a feeding ground during the dry season. Investigating the MASL observations will be a part of the future field research efforts.
- There are some suitable habitats that can be integrated to establish Managed Elephant Reserves (MERs) and Elephant Conservation Areas (ECAs). Once we have identified the most suitable habitats to establish corridors then it is possible to carry out habitat enrichment to link habitat fragments to form corridors.
The population estimates will be completed only after the seasonal surveys are completed, and then we will use both past and present data for population analysis and density estimates. We hope to use our past and present data to provide solutions based on advanced GIS modeling. These solutions will include practical solutions that can be applied preemptively to mitigate HEC in the project and adjacent areas.
Human Elephant Conflict in the Area
Human Elephant conflict has begun to increase since recently in the Grama Niladhari Divisions (GNDs are village level administrative divisions) that were surveyed. Of the total number of village households that were interviewed, 82% of the families have experienced elephant raids. Ninety five percent were crop damages, 3% were house damages and 2% were human casualties. According to information that had been gathered from 2005-2007, rice and banana are the most raided crops. Each villager annually loses Rs.12,240 (~US$120) due to HEC. This is a substantial amount to lose considering an average villager's total annual income is ~$300. Two elephants had been killed in the area, one in 2002 at Katumanaoya and the other in 2006 in Rambukoluwa-Sawanpitiya. Both areas are nearby to Kaluganga. According to the villagers, elephant raids are seasonal and they are most intense from the months of May through October which is the dry season. The following areas were identified by villagers as places where elephant gather in large numbers.
Name of locality and nearest GND
- Madugaslanda forest, Rambukoluwa
- Hobarakada, Mannakatiya Gangahenwala
- Moragahaulpatha, Karandamulla
- Athkimbulawala forest, Akarahadiya
- Ambanmulla, Balagollayaya Minirankatiya
- Galwala, Katumanna Halminiyaity
- Kiulpotha, Gonawala
- Makulmada, Pallegama
- Galgedawala, Dagavilla Madumana
- Hamagahaulpatha, Kotakumbura Ranamuragama
We hope to survey all of these places to gather information on elephant populations and available habitats in these areas.
ISSUES and FUTURE PLANS
The current field work was conducted by the Society at its own expense. Therefore we have had to limit the scale of our field research efforts. We will continue with the research through October 2008. Once we have completed the surveys we will organize a meeting at Dambulla or Bakamuna bringing together the Department of Wildlife Conservation, Mahaweli Authority, Forest Department and other line agencies to discuss HEC mitigation and elephant conservation efforts in detail. Both divisional level and HQ level personnel of all the line agencies will be present at this meeting.
URGENT REQUEST
We need funds urgently to continue with the surveys. Based on the available funds we will run multiple teams concurrently.
From August-October 2008 we need to conduct 9 Field Trips of 7-10 days each. Each field trip costs about $1300. The costs includes salaries, transport, accommodation/food, equipment, GIS expertise, analyzing data and writing reports. While the total cost to conduct all the surveys is US$12,000, even small contributions will help us to continue with our field surveys and conservation efforts. We also have to conduct at least 5 stakeholder meetings at both the local and regional/national level to promote sustainable solutions for the MASL, DWC and FD to implement.
Visit www.slwcs.org/projects/mg&kg or email info@slwcs.org for details.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We gratefully acknowledge the contributions and support of the following people and institutions:
- Zoology Special students (2004/2005 batch) of Faculty of Science of University of Peradeniya for assisting us with the field work. Their participation helped us to move ahead with the project rapidly.
- Foreign volunteers from Global Vision International and World Wide Experience who assisted us with our research efforts.
WANT TO HELP
You can make a cash donation of any amount via Credit Card or by A/C Payee cheque marked MG/KG Project, Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society and mailed to 127 Kingsland Street, Nutley NJ 07110, USA or 38 Auburn Side, Dehiwala, Sri Lanka. All USA donations are Tax Free.
Even the smallest donation will help to save these elephants.
Erroneous information in Anaconda article in July 14, 2008 issue of Daily News
To: Editor, Daily News
Dear Sir/Madam.
I'm writing to you in reference to an article that appeared in the Monday, July 14, 2008 issue of Daily News, titled: Anaconda mum cradles 20. First time in zoo's history. Written by Suranjith Perera, Dehiwala-Mt. Lavinia group correspondent.
Mr. Perera very erroneously states that, "The mother had laid 23 eggs, however three eggs were crushed leaving only 20 alive." It is possible that Mr. Perera is writing based on information he would have received from the Dehiwala Zoo personnel due to the fact that the zoo personnel have misidentified the snake in question. But the fact remains the green anaconda does not lay eggs.
The green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) known as one of the largest of all snakes in the world is a species of constricting snake belonging to the family Boidae that is native to South America. The pythons found in Africa, Asia and Australasia also belongs to this family. But unlike the pythons, the boa constrictors and anacondas of South America do not lay eggs. So contrary to the information that has been reported in the Daily News, the green anaconda in the zoo (assuming it is actually a green anaconda) should not lay eggs. Anacondas are ovoviviparous, meaning that they produce eggs which hatch inside the female's body and result in live births.
It is the responsibility of the Dehiwala Zoo to first indentify all the animals in its collection correctly and accurately. The zoo should also ensure that competent and knowledgeable personnel are always made available when personnel from the press come to the zoo to record events especially about the animals in the zoo, since what is published by the press is read by a large audience and providing wrong information can result in serious repercussions over time. It is very important to ensure that scientific information presented to the public is as accurate as possible.
I would appreciate it very much if you would publish this in your next Daily News edition. If you need additional information please let me know.
Wishing you all the best,
I remain sincerely,
Ravi Corea
President
Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society
Scientific Consultant
Herpetology Department
American Museum of Natural History, New York City, USA
REVISED/QUOTED: http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2008/07/20/new24.asp and http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/07/16/news11.asp
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GRANTS |
THE ‘ELEPHANT PROTECTION BURSARY’
Monday 23 JUNE, 2008
THE BORN FREE FOUNDATION LAUNCHES NEW BURSARY SCHEME TO BENEFIT THE CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF WILD ELEPHANTS IN SRI LANKA
The international wildlife conservation and welfare charity the Born Free Foundation has launched a small grants programme to support local elephant conservation efforts in Sri Lanka. The ‘Elephant Protection Bursary’ will provide targeted funding for projects addressing key issues in elephant conservation across the country, such as reducing human elephant conflict and accidental deaths. Born Free has been supporting work in Sri Lanka since 2002, providing assistance to the government run Elephant Transit Home and funding human elephant conflict mitigation through the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society.
Born Free Foundation’s CEO Will Travers says: “We hope that the grant programme will increase local capacity for tackling these issues, and at the same time may offer some new approaches to wildlife management problems that are prevalent across the region.”
Individuals, organizations and community groups may be eligible for the scheme. For more information and application documents visit http://www.bornfree.org.uk/index.php?id=900 or contact David Jay at Born Free on davidj@bornfree.org.uk
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Center for Conservation GIS
Access to GIS software and hardware for conservationists to carry out their own projects
- Access to R/S Imagery and Vector Data for non-commercial, research use.
- Expert advise and support in GIS
- The book "Getting to know ArcGIS" with a 6-month evaluation license of ArcView thru SCGIS
- Doctors Office on request.
FMI: see gis.slwcs.org/grants |
SYMPOSIUMS |
| July 25th - 5th National Symposium on "GIS for Sustainable Development". www.gissl.lk |
| Oct 2nd, Water Professionals Day 2008. www.gissl.lk |
| Oct 16th, National Conference on "Geo-informatics Applications" www.accimt.ac.lk |
| November 24-26, 2008 International Elephant Conservation and Research Symposium in Thailand. www.ief2008-thailand.com |
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The International Elephant Conservation and Research Symposium is scheduled on 24 – 26 November 2008 in Thailand.
This event is hosted by the International Elephant Foundation (IEF), Asian Elephant Foundation of Thailand, Post Graduate Foundation in Veterinary Science Mahidol University (PGF-VSMU) and the Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University.
The symposium will concentrate on the research and conservation needs of captive and wild populations of elephants worldwide. Our wildlife and resources must actively be managed in order for there to be any hope for survival of elephants and their natural habitats.
The Symposium provides an opportunity to help veterinarians and elephant conservationists to enhance their knowledge in elephant welfare issues and activities.
www.ief2008-thailand.com
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COLLABORATIVE INFORMATION COLLECTION
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| The SLWCS is trying to collaboratively collect an update on the Historical, Cultural, Current Distribution, Population and Conservation Status of the Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) using Google Documents. You can view the current update here and email info@slwcs.org if you would like to help. |
Videos about Us
The Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society (SLWCS) has produced many documentaries and advertorials about our projects and we have filmed with Animal Planet, DocTV and many other organisations. View these programs at www.slwcs.org/video
or on Google video / You Tube / Zippy Videos / Cnet |
Experience Extraordinary Sri Lanka
The Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society (SLWCS) has launched Escape Tourism which conducts (high-end) responsible tourism to support local traditional lifestyles, culture and environmental conservation in Sri Lanka . Our focus is on our customers. We realize that every traveler has a different set of wants and constraints when preparing for their journey and we make it our primary aim to include our clients in the process while achieving the very highest level of service possible, no matter what type of trip you need help planning.
visit www.EscapeTourism.com |
WILDLIFE OF SRI LANKA POSTER SERIES
The Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society (SLWCS), in collaboration with the Zoologists Association of the University of Peradeniya, has launched a series of posters on the wildlife of Sri Lanka.
The first in the series is a set of posters on the MAMMALS of SRI LANKA. Each poster has information on the behavior, distribution and characteristics of each species, along with the common and scientific names in Sinhalese and English. Additionally the Society’s website contains detailed information about the fauna and flora of Sri Lanka for use by students and other interested individuals and organizations. The second poster is on the Snakes of Sri Lanka and is the first poster on snakes to be published in Sri Lanka.
The Posters are available for sale at Rs. 250 each and Rs. 450 for a set of 2 posters at the SLWCS Colombo HQ, at 38 Auburn Side, Dehiwala (opposite Arpico on the sea side and open 24 hours). The posters will also be available at the Zoologists' Association office in the Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya. The posters will also be available for sale at leading bookshops shortly. A number of poster sets have also been donated to a few selected organizations and schools. Posters can be sent internationally and ordered by credit card. |
CONSERVATION BLOG
The information in our newsletter is archived at
conservation-news blogspot
The public are invited to post their comments and any news items to this server by emailing: conservation-news blogspotor by commenting directly on the blog. This is also used as a discussion board for various conservation issues related to Sri Lanka.
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View eNewsletter of July 2008 (issue 2) and Januaray 2008 (issue 1) |
