Wild Asian elephant Elephas maximus population in Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand

Abstract

© The authors 2015. The population of wild Asian elephants Elephas maximus is declining worldwide; therefore, understanding the dynamics of the remaining population is critical for effective conservation. We monitored the population and distribution of elephants in Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand between May 2010 and March 2011. Using 32 camera trap locations and 1391 trap nights, we recorded 882 elephant photos. A total of 180 individuals were identified in the photos and classified as follows: 55 adult males, 60 adult females, 11 sub-adult males, 17 sub-adult females, 18 juveniles, and 19 calves. The age structure ratio (based on adult females) was 0.9: 1.0: 0.2: 0.3: 0.3: 0.4, and the ratio of reproductive ability between adult females, juveniles, and calves was 1.0: 0.3: 0.3. The ratio between adult females and infants was highest in areas containing a high concentration of salt licks, which could indicate that salt licks are a keystone resource for wild Asian elephants.