Food
and feeding behaviour of Asiatic elephant
(Elephas
maximus Linn.) in Kuldiha Wild Life Sanctuary,
Odisha,
India
Â
Kalpana
K. Mohapatra*, A.K. Patra and D.S. Paramanik
Environmental
Research Laboratory, PG Department of Zoology, Utkal University,
Bhubaneswar-751 004, India
*Corresponding
Author email : kmohapatra7@gmail.com*
Â
|
Â
Â
Publication
Data
Paper received:
03 March 2011
Â
Revised received:
17 December 2011
Â
Re-revised received:
16 February 2012
Â
Accepted:
22 March 2012
|
Â
Abstract
The
feeding behaviour of Asiatic elephant (Elephas maximus) with food
reference was studied in Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha during 2007 to
2009. Though the study area houses a good number of plant species only 71
species were identified as elephant fodder plants. The food trail of
elephant was observed as twig breaking, bark peeling, branch breaking, stem
twisting uprooting and flower plucking in different regions of study area
during different seasons. Alteration of predominantly browsing strategy with
that of grazing around the year was related to seasonal variation of food
plants. Consumption of tree species (56%) was highest as compared to shrubs
(20%), herbs (14%) and climbers (10%). A high degree of variation in dicot-
monocot ratio (61:10)) was marked during identification of elephant fodder
plant by direct observation. Microscopic analysis of dung showing a high
degree of variation in average dicot- monocot ratio suggested that the food
plant selection of elephant was highly opportunistic and seasonal. The
elephants extensively fed on the plant species like Careya arborea, Kydia
calycina, Helicteres isora, Mallotus philippinensis, Aegle marmelos, Zizyphus
mauritiana, Bauhinia racemosa, Bauhinia vahlii, Mimosa pudica, Asparagus
racemosus, Smilax zeylanica and Diosporea species. They were fond of Madhuca
indica (Mahula) flowers in winter and fruits of Mangifera indica
(Mango) in summer. They were never found feeding on Tectona grandis
and Eucalyptus maculate inside the study area.
Â
Key words
Asiatic elephant,
Feeding behaviour, Kuldiha Wild Life Sanctuary
Â
|
Copyright
© 2013 Triveni Enterprises. All rights reserved. No part of the Journal can
be reproduced in any form without prior permission. Responsibility
regarding the authenticity of the data, and the acceptability of the conclusions
enforced or derived, rest completely with the author(s).
|