Abstract

The elephants in Kerala exist as seven populations, six of them in continuity to the neighbouring states. Most of the studies on Asian elephants were carried out in Sri Lanka. Major works on Asian elephants in India were reported for South Indian populations. However, the ecological studies on Asian elephants in the Indian context have not been translated to the management of Wildlife Sanctuaries. The present paper deals with certain aspects of ecology of elephants vis-a-vis management options for Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary. Long term monitoring of vegetation dynamics and effect of fire on vegetations is suggested. An appropriate methodology must be developed for population estimation of elephants. Population estimation in different areas of the conservation unit should be done simultaneously. Addition of adjacent areas to the sanctuary will maintain ecological continuity and enhance effective protection