Abstract

The population of Asian elephants in Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India was studied during 1981-83. The sanctuary with an area of about 270 sq. km has both natural forests and plantations. A total count indicated about 114 elephants with an ecological density of about 0. 5 animal/sq. km. The biomass was about 905 kg/sq. km. The herd size frequency showed a polymodal distribution. The herd size of eleven was more frequent. The basic family unit in the population was around five. There was no significant seasonal or monthly differences in herd size. Forty three percent of the herds were without bulls. About 66 of the adult males observed were solitary. The sex ratio of 1: 6. 8 (male: female) indicates a slight increase in male mortality. The proportion of juveniles and calves (21) indicates a high percentage of breeding females in the population