Evaluation of the perceived palatability levels of grazing forages of wild asian elephants in Sri Lanka

Respodents of questionair survey

Abstract

The relative preference of Asian elephants for particular plant species is one of the important factors in enhancing forage availability through elephant-specific conceptual conservation strategies in habitat enrichment to keep elephants inside fragmented landscapes. The dilemma posed by the human-elephant conflict and the loss of forage lands due to the burgeoning population density of Sri Lanka indicates the necessity of sustainable forage availability. The information on the palatability levels of forage plants of elephants grazing in Sri Lankan forests and lands is rare. Thus, the present investigation focused on the perceived palatability levels of forages consumed by wild elephants in distinct provinces in the country. An online, piloted, and validated questionnaire was conducted to gather information from respondents with field experience and expertise. The responders were chosen at random, and the questionnaire was administered. A list of palatable plant species was compiled based on the literature, field surveys, and interviews conducted with wildlife experts. Twenty-two common elephant fodder plants were identified from eight provinces on the island, including three herbaceous, 14 types of grass, and five sedges. The perceived palatability scores differ across the provinces, plant types, and species. Of the 22 listed forage plants, Pennisetum purpureum, Sacciolepis interrupta, Panicum maximum, and Echinochloa glabrescens surpass the rest, with relatively higher palatability scores. Thus,increasing the availability of forage plants with higher palatability levels secures and sustains the wild elephants in Sri Lanka. Further studies are required to understand the spatiotemporal variation of these plants entirely.