The Asian Elephant: Ecology and Management (Cambridge Studies in Applied Ecology and Resource Management) [Paperback]

Raman Sukumar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 30, 1993 | ISBN-10: 052143758X | ISBN-13: 978-0521437585

The Asian elephant has had a unique cultural association with people. Unfortunately, elephants and people have also been in conflict, resulting in the decline in elephants throughout their former range in Southern Asia. This book provides an ecological analysis of elephant human interaction and its implications for the conservation of elephants. The foraging habits of elephants and their impact on vegetation are considered, along with the interactions that occur between elephants and humans. The ecological data provide the basis for recommendations on elephant conservation and management, keeping in view the socio-economic imperatives of the Asian region.This first comprehensive account of Asian elephant ecology will be of particular interest to conservation biologists and mammalogists.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This fine volume on the Asian elephant is certainly timely and thorough...This book is the most current work on this subject and is designed mainly for a professional audience. However, general readers with a strong interest in elephants will be able to use this as a resource." Choice

"This must surely become the standard reference book for the Asian elephant. It provides a wealth of relevant information that will be important to all who have to deal with humans and elephants." Quarterly Review of Biology

"...has a great deal of interesting information about Asian elephant natural history which is not available elsewhere: for example, wild diet, reproductive rates and home range sizes. The recommendations for conservation strategies are well thought out and include discussions of current strategies for habitat preservation used in Africa. The bibliography is excellent. I recommend this book as a resource volume to anyone interested in wild Asian elephant conservation issues. The factual information about animal natural history is also informative, particularly as a comparison to African elephants." John Lehnhardt, Animal Keepers' Forum

Book Description

This ecological analysis of elephant-human interaction, and its implications for the conservation of Asian elephants, includes recommendations on conservation and management, taking into consideration the socio-economic characteristics of the Asian region.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (April 30, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 052143758X
• ISBN-13: 978-0521437585
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,309,355 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars essential elephant book, May 7, 2004

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Galapagos Finch (College Station, TX) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Asian Elephant: Ecology and Management (Cambridge Studies in Applied Ecology and Resource Management) (Hardcover)

This book complements Dr.Sukumar's other book, 'elephant days and nights'. Whereas that book is light reading and blends anecdotal information about elephants and the fun of doing research with megavertebrates, 'The asian elephant' is for the more advanced reader with specialist information about the ecological aspects of asian Elephant.

The complete ecology and biogeography of the asian elephant has hitherto been meagre and uninformative, being limited to few paragraphs in game books and wildlife journals. This book, for the most part focuses on the ecology of Asian elephants in India, though some references are made to other populations. It provides an excellent historical perspective of the status of elephants as semi-domesticated animals, in hindu mythology and its use in medieval kingdoms. Dr. Sukumars work is probably seminal in bringing out a whole suite of relevant ecological information about asian elephants and giving it a firm footing on the conservation map.

Overall good reading and essential for the serious elephant biologist and conservationalist.