I N T E R N A T I O N A L E L E P H A N T F O U N D A T I O NI N T E R N A T I O N A L E L E P H A N T F O U N D A T I O N

Promoting conservation, education and research of the world’s elephant populations

The mission of the International Elephant Foundation is to support and operate elephant conservation and education programs, both in managed facilities and in the wild,

with an emphasis on management, protection and scientific research.

Volume 2 2006

International Elephant Foundation and Seblat Elephant Conservation Center’s Conservation and Response Unit team in Sumatra, Indonesia

1

INTERNATIONAL ELEPHANT FOUNDATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Michael FourakerFort Worth Zoo

President

Charlie GrayAfrican Lion Safari

Vice-President

John LehnhardtDisney’s Animal Kingdom

Secretary

Tom AlbertFeld Entertainment Inc./Ringling Bros.

and Barnum & Bailey

Treasurer

David BlaskoSix Flags Marine World

Gary JohnsonHave Trunk Will Travel

Paul GraysonIndianapolis Zoo

Harry PeacheyColumbus Zoo

Randy RiechesSan Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park

Dennis Schmitt DVM, PhDMissouri State University

Harald Schwammer, PhDTiergarten Schoenbrunn

Glenn YoungBusch Gardens Tampa Bay

Martha FischerSaint Louis Zoo

Lynn Kramer, DVMDenver Zoological Gardens

Deborah OlsonIndianapolis Zoo

Executive Director

The International Elephant Foundation (IEF) is a non-profi t organization established in 1998 for the purpose of contributing expertise and providing funds to support elephant conservation programs worldwide, including

protection of elephants in the wild and of their habitats, scientifi c research, education efforts and improvement in intensively managed captive animal care facilities.

The IEF’s board of directors are highly regarded elephant experts experienced in working with African and Asian elephants through hands-on care and/or conservation and research. All board members are affi liated with elephant programs at a variety of organizations internationally. Scientifi c advisors from the fi elds of medicine, research, academia and elephant management guide and support the IEF board.

Board members contribute their time and expertise, as well as funds, and receive no compensation for time spent on IEF business. Board members’ expertise, time and travel to IEF board meetings are a complete donation to IEF from them personally, their institutions or their sponsor. In fact, in 2004 and 2005 more than 91 percent of funds raised by IEF went directly into elephant conservation efforts. All fi nancial donations to IEF, a 501(c)(3) non-profi t organization, are tax deductible under United States law.

From the Desk of the President...Dear Friends,

We are pleased to report that 2004 and 2005 were outstanding years for our organization. All of us are keenly aware that mismanagement of the Earth’s resources threatens the existence of numerous animals and plants, which is particularly evident with major species such as elephants. As this annual report shows, IEF is making major contributions to the conservation and scientifi c study of elephants.

Most of the funds generated by IEF for distribution to conservation projects have been generated through the activities of elephant management and propagation. Elephants in human care contribute to conservation through research. Understanding elephant reproductive physiology led to the successful artifi cial insemination of both African and Asian elephants, technology that will assist populations in range states in the future. Studying biological samples donated by trained elephants allows professionals to understand elephant physiology and diseases in order to develop vaccines, antibiotics and other medicines that can be used by wild elephant managers. Observing the behavior of elephants in human care helps us to understand the behavior of elephants in the wild, and vice versa. In addition, elephants in human care are contributing to conservation through public education which encourages donations that support conservation efforts in Africa and Asia. And in the future, we are determined to produce a greater impact by deploying our resources wisely and by maintaining long-term programs and partnerships that benefi t the world’s population of elephants.

Thanks to our many generous friends and supporters, we’re moving forward with a vision that promotes elephant conservation, scientifi c investigation and education. We don’t expect the future to be easy, but we’re up to the task.

Michael Fouraker

2 3

In T

his

Is

su

eD

on

or

Sp

otl

igh

t

The International Elephant Foundation’s continuing growth is reflected in an increasing number of coopera-tive ventures and collaborations with federal agencies, international governments, private oganizations and individuals. The depth and scope of our work has been greatly enhanced by our supporters, and we offer our

warmest thanks to all the individuals and organizations that have contributed. IEF is an investment in our collective future in a world that includes elephants. Your donation keeps good science and conservation alive for the benefit of generations to come. The Nashville Chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK) hosted its first wild animal art auction to raise funds for the International Elephant Foundation. The event was a silent auction of animal paintings which included paintings done by many of the animals at the Nashville Zoo such as opossum, cheetahs, meerkats, horses, macaws, snakes, bugs, lizards, and of course, elephants! The chapter’s art committee rallied local framing shops to the cause and got many of them to professionally frame one to four paintings for the night. The chapter framed some of the smaller paintings, and they all turned out beautifully for the occasion.

The auction itself was held at a local Italian restaurant and ticket prices included beer, wine and appetizers. By adver-tising through many different sources, they had an excellent turnout for the night and sold every one of the 79 paintings! The bidding wars were heated and exciting to watch as many people clamored for the painting they just had to have. The AAZK chapter was ecstatic that so many wonderful animal lovers came out for the event and were willing to spend top dollar for a one-of-a-kind animal painting. The AAZK was proud to hand over the proceeds from the evening, a whop-ping $4,000, to IEF for its continued efforts in the conser-vation of both African and Asian elephants worldwide. The Nashville AAZK chapter hopes to make their wild animal art auction an annual event so that they may help organizations like IEF in their conservation endeavors. Many thanks!

3 Conservation Response Units at the Elephant Conservation Center in Bengkulu Province, Sumatra 6 Protection of Species in Garamba National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo

8 Elephant Foot Anatomy and Pathology

9 Developing a Human-Elephant Co-existence Awareness Poster for the People of Sri Lanka

11 IEF Sponsored Elephant Workshops

12 International Elephant Conservation and Research Symposium Update

13 Endotheliotropic Elephant Herpes Virus Workshop Establishment of a Human-Elephant Conflict Response Network in Cambodio

14 Development of an Elephant Hand-rearing Resource Center Land Use and Migration Patterns of the Elephants in Cameroon

15 International Elephant Foundation Conservation and Research Project Support 1999-2005

17 Developing Effective Methods of Semen Cryopreservation

18 International Elephant Foundation Financial Report

Art Auction Supports the International Elephant Foundation

2 3

The Seblat Elephant Conservation Centre (ECC), established in 1992, is a conservation area in the province of Bengkulu on the island of Sumatra,

Indonesia. The province of Bengkulu covers just less than 20,000 sq km and is surrounded by the provinces of South Sumatra, Jambi, Lampung, West Sumatra and the Indian Ocean. The ECC is located on the bank of the Seblat River, providing an abundant supply of clean water for the elephants. A number of large-scale palm oil plantations and ex-logging concessions surround the Seblat ECC. Within the Seblat ECC area, a small portion is allocated to a facility which holds 23 captive elephants, and the larger portion of this area is covered by forest. Due to the rich

biodiversity found in the ECC forest area and the presence of captive elephants, the Seblat ECC area has the potential to develop into an eco-tourism destination as a long-term self- sustainability strategy for the elephant camp.

Conservation Response Units, forest rangers who fight forest crime with the help of elephants and their mahouts, (CRUs) offer an alternative way to utilize existing captive elephants and their mahouts to protect their habitat, mitigate human-elephant conflict and improve the conditions for elephants in captivity as well as mahouts. As one of the philosophical grounds of the CRU concept, capacity building is considered an important part of the CRU development process. Training for all the CRU team members took place shortly after launching the project and covered a variety of topics, including biodiversity monitoring techniques, human-wildlife conflict assessment and means of mitigating such conflicts, navigation in the field using GPS and satellite mapping, identifying and documenting wildlife crime, and operating field equipment. The training sessions were also enthusiastically joined by two trainees from the neighbouring plantation company.

The month of May was spent conducting field orientation. In 10 days, the team surveyed the ECC area and determined potential locations for the establishment of permanent transects. In the month of June, team II established eight permanent transects which are used periodically to measure the impact of CRU activity on biodiversity. From their initial field surveys the team has documented the presence and signs of tiger, elephant, tapir, deer, various primates, long tail macaque, pig tail macaque, gibbon, various hornbill species, jungle fowl, song birds, wild boar, civet and reptiles.

While on patrol, the CRU teams have recorded various types of forest crimes including illegal logging, land encroachment and wildlife hunting. In all cases of wildlife crime, photos are taken to document the event and the identification of those committing illegal activities is recorded. In most cases, equipment is confiscated and used as evidence by the prosecution.

Case 1In May, a group of five illegal logging operators were caught with two chainsaws. The timber they had gathered was to be used for door frames sold directly to the public in Air

Conservation Response Units (CRU) at the Elephant Conservation Center (ECC) in Bengkulu Province, Sumatra

“CRUs offer an alternative way to utlize existing captive elephants and their mahouts

to protect their habitat...”

4 5

Mureng, Putri Hijau, Muko Muko, and other regions, or sold to a sawmill.

The following actions were taken by the CRU team. The chainsaws were destroyed on the spot by disassembling the chain and damaging the motor. The logging operators signed a statement declaring that they would discontinue

such illegal activities. The CRU team also discussed with the operators the negative impacts of their actions on biodiversity and the boundary of the ECC area which holds conservation status. In June, it was found this team had discontinued their activities. This indicates that in some cases the pledge letter is quite effective to stop perpetrators committing illegal activity.

Case 2In June, the team arrested three illegal logging operators and one investor that were operating inside the ECC area. They were found in possession of two chainsaws and three machetes which were confiscated by the CRU team as evidence for prosecution purposes. The latest information on this case is that the suspects are in prison awaiting trial, and the documents have been submitted to the district attorney.

Case 3Three piles of logs ready to be transported were found in June by unknown perpetrator(s). The team burned all three piles of logs. Based on the data that the team gathered from the field, the Forestry Department of Bengkulu planned a larger operation involving local police as well as government forest rangers.

Case 4Unlike the illegal logging, dealing with land encroachment has proved more difficult. It involves dealing with whole families and communities, since the encroachers originate from the surrounding area. In May, the CRU team met with four groups of land encroachers. The team provided information to them, and prohibited them from clearing more forest. For example, a 150 hectare area inside the ECC had 52 households that has occupied this area for the past 15-17 years. This area previously did not hold conservation status; however, with the declaration of the conservation area in 1992, this area has changed its land status. The CRU team warned the encroachers to not clear any new areas while they wait for the land status issue to be settled by the government.

Illegal logging

Illegal logger arrested by team

Team burned three piles of logs

An illegal logger is being interrogated by the team.

4 5

A 2 hectare cleared area within the ECC region in Air Sabai was occupied by nine families who came from Pulau village and have been at this location for the past two years. The initial action taken by the CRU team was to provide the encroachers with information about conservation, inform them of the boundaries of the ECC Seblat and to ask them to leave the region. By June all nine households had been relocated.

Case 5 A group of poachers planted nine rolls of 13.5 m long ratten snares for trapping deer. The hunting location is in the northern and eastern sides of the ECC region. The meat is sold to other regions such as Simpang Heler, Air Mureng, Ipoh and Muko Muko. On average three to four deer are caught every month. Upon finding the snares the CRU team burnt them on site and requested the culprits issue

a statement declaring that they will not commit the same crime again. The team then went on to discuss the ECC Seblat boundary line.

During the June patrols, the team did not come across any evidence of wildlife hunting within the ECC area. It appears as though the offenders caught in May spread the word to the surrounding communities in Putri Hijau and Ipuh that there is now law enforcement within the ECC Seblat area.

Case 6 A group of six youths were caught poisoning fish using Timex pesticide. The CRU team seized one fishing net and the Timex pesticide and requested the poachers issue a statement affirming that their actions will not be repeated. In June the team did not find any more evidence of fish poisoning.

Case 7May 12 to 13, human-elephant conflict occurred in the PT. Agricinal plantation and the company asked for the assistance from the ECC Seblat staff to guard and drive the wild elephants back to the forest.

June 15, the CRU team was asked to assist the people in Suka Baru village to deal with a sun bear that had entered the village. It was reported that the bear killed 96 chickens and then destroyed 14 coconut trees as well as several palm oil trees. The team visited the village to dart the bear and release it into the forest. Upon arrival, the bear could not be found, and the team has since heard from the villagers that the bear has moved to another place some distance from the ECC Seblat area.

The CRU team also provides the community with wildlife conservation educational information when they meet during patrols and forest monitoring activities. The primary

Implanting a microchip

The CRU team burnt the snares on site.

CRU officers lecturing about fish poisoning

6 7

The second half of 2003, 2004 and 2005 were very challenging times for Garamba National Park. Poaching increased in intensity and type sweeping through the southern sector of Garamba, focusing on elephants for ivory and rhinos for horn. If poachers do not stop to retrieve and smoke the meat, they can move fast and kill more animals in a short space of time. An Emergency Plan was formulated and implemented, with training and leadership of Park guards being one of the key issues, while developing their equipment, supplies and other support for anti-poaching.

The vehicle provided by the IEF in 2003 was vital in this crisis, and was able in November 2003 to move

guards immediately to the scene when the aircraft detected a group of poachers in the process of cutting the tusks out of an elephant they had just killed while carrying eight more tusks. The IEF funds contributed in 2004 were used for vehicle fuel and repairs, aircraft operations (particularly the aerial survey of the park to assess the status of elephants and in reconnaissance surveys to guide anti-poaching patrols) and for the guard training program.

The chief trainer of African Field Ranger Training Services carried out an intensive six-week high level training program, which was also reinforced with developing the Law Enforcement Monitoring

program in relation to anti-poaching needs. A delegation from the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) program doing an evaluation of the sites at the end of the first phase was very impressed with the capacity of the guards and the activities being undertaken.

At the end of the training and the start of the second phase of assistant trainers working with the guards on patrol, the poaching dramatically changed.

Protection of Species in Garamba National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo

targets of educational information for the first few months of operation were land encroachers, poachers and illegal loggers. In the future, the CRU team will conduct community outreach with a wider target audience, such as members from the surrounding communities and students.

With every assessment visit, the IEF team checks the health of all ECC elephants. Using a digital scale, each and every elephant is weighed and given a dose of Ivermectin for parasites, and any veterinary issues are treated. All elephants have been found to be in good physical shape. IEF and project partner Fauna and Flora International are also developing an elephant registration and database system, the first such system to be implemented in Indonesia. Each elephant has been implanted with a microchip (TROVAN ID 100

transponders). Each chip can be scanned (with a TROVAN LID 571 hand-held reader) for verification of the elephant’s ID. After the microchip was implanted, identification photos of each elephant were taken – a front and a side view. At this same time any unusual individual characteristics were noted. The Director of Biodiversity Conservation for the Forest Protection and Nature Conservation Agency of the Indonesian Forestry Department, Widodo Ramono, would like to see this same registration system used in all the Sumatran elephant camps. This would ensure the proper registration and identification of all captive elephants in Sumatra. (Dr. Wahdi Azmi)

Fresh elephant / rhino carcasses

Recent elephant carcasses

Aerial survey results of elephant carcasses, July 2004

6 7

This was the first time that horsemen from the northern Sudan, heavily armed, highly trained and with pack animals, had appeared in Garamba. A further aerial survey revealed 12 freshly dead elephants and two rhinos along one river. The guards became demoralized after two armed confrontations resulted in two guards being killed and two wounded, although two or three poachers were also killed. Clearly a much longer term input to training, leading and working with the guards was needed.

Aerial reconnaissance was carried out at intervals throughout with a full aerial sample count of the park carried out in April 2004. Elephants were only located in the southern sector and count results revealed that their number had declined from 6,948 in May 2003 to 5,815 in April 2004. Their numbers have continued to decline since then and a map of the intensive southern sector survey in July shows several areas of fresh elephant carcasses.

In the fall of 2004, poaching in Garamba intensified as commercial interests in ivory and rhino horn surpassed the local poaching for bushmeat. Hippos and giraffes are other species among the victims of this sweeping poaching campaign. Sudanese poachers on horseback are the most brutal in history. Under this unprecedented pressure, the elephant population of close to 5,000 is down to perhaps just a couple thousand. Some of the elephants have moved out of the park; obviously, those remaining are under dire threat.

The reason for loss of control of Garamba National Park is the dominance of Sudanese weaponry and their warrior mentality over Congolese park guards who have been under-equipped and overwhelmed in terms of military power and competency, and some of the guards are lacking in the motivation and ethics needed to take on such a formidable enemy. In addition, the population of guards is aged, with the majority over 50 years old. Furthermore, local poaching perpetuated by park personnel prevails as a real problem.

The Francophone trainers funded by the European Union through the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) were in Garamba in October 2004. The trainers were experienced in dealing with fierce fighters from work in the Central African Republic. In November 2004, the two trainers

completed a 15-day course training 32 guards, resulting in an upgrade of standards of monitoring and surveillance. In December, the trainers led patrols focused on points of poacher entry into the park.

In spring 2005, poaching in Garamba went from bad to worse. The poachers are trained militias and proving to be particularly violent and difficult to combat. Added to that is the growing Congolese nationalism that has undercut protection efforts. Rumors began circulating in the country that foreigners were buying rhinos at low prices, paying off corrupt officials and spiriting the animals out of the country when in fact, a plan was being developed to move the last remaining Northern white rhino, numbering 20 or less, to a protected area within Kenya until such time as it was safe to return them to Garamba National Park. One newspaper in the capital of Kinshasa claimed that Western conservationists were nothing more than modern-day poachers. Vice President Abdoulaye Yerodia and the Congolese Institute for Conservation of Nature supported the plan of the Western conservationists, but there were three additional vice presidents in the country’s transitional government as well as numerous ministers from a wide array of parties which prevented any agreement or action to take place to save the elephants and rhino.

Due to these accusations followed by threats on the lives of some western conservationists, this decade old Western financed project to train Congolese park rangers to protect the park has suspended operations and the last of the French security experts training guards has recently left the country. The International Elephant Foundation remains committed to helping the elephants of Garamba National Park and is continuing to seek avenues that will allow support to continue while working within a fractured and antagonistic political environment. (Dr. Tom Foose)

IEF funds contributed in 2004 have been

invaluable to the program, providing critical supplies for survey work.

Wild elephants in Garamba National Park

8 9

Foot lesions and degenerative joint disease are medical problems observed in some elephants. Cracks, abscesses, ulcerations and other lesions in the sole,

nail and cuticle, as well as degenerative joint disease, are frustrating and potentially debilitating problems. Etiologies are traditionally thought to include foreign bodies, trauma, wet or contaminated surfaces, concurrent health issues, poor nutrition, lack of exercise and inadequate foot care. Potential causes of ineffective treatment of chronic foot ailments include a lack of anatomical knowledge regarding the relationships of structures within the elephant foot, as well as an incomplete understanding of the causative factors of these lesions. Internal bony remodeling and degeneration of the digits in older elephants or those with conformational abnormalities and altered weight bearing seem to play a significant role in the development of external lesions in the pad and nails.

The objective of this study was to review the normal anatomy of the elephant foot and to investigate abnormalities using a variety of techniques on post-mortem specimens, including soft tissue dissections, arterial cast preparations, Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Particular focus has been placed on the development and persistence of chronic foot lesions in elephants with conformational abnormalities.

It has been recognized that elephants with abnormal limb conformation tend to develop chronic and often serious foot problems as they age. These animals tend to be especially sedentary, and often have unequal weight distribution between the feet. Several elephants in this study exhibited abnormal limb conformation that preceded the development of persistent foot lesions. These conformational abnormalities resulted in abnormal and excessive weight

bearing on specific portions of the limbs. Bony remodeling of individual digits likely occurred in an effort to compensate for unusual pressures and increased weight load. This remodeling and malalignment of digits may have caused excessive pressure beneath the digits themselves, possibly leading to pressure necrosis, decreased blood supply, and ischemia. Pressure and lack of blood supply may have led to chronic, persistent, ulcerative lesions. This underlying pathology of bony remodeling and degeneration may contribute to the lack of response to therapy commonly encountered when treating such conditions.

The development of certain cases of chronic foot lesions in elephants may therefore be the result of degenerative processes occurring within the digits rather than from external etiologies. Abnormal weight bearing and lack of activity may significantly increase the risk of lesion development. More serious complications such as osteomyelitis may occur after these degenerative processes create chronic lesions. (Dr. Kim Luikart)

A saggital MRI image of the front foot of an Asian elephant

A 3D CT reconstruction of the front foot of an Asian elephant

A scout CT image of the back foot of an African elephant

Elephant Foot Anatomy and Pathology

8 9

Sri Lanka’s human population has more than quadrupled from 3.6 to 18.1 million between 1900 and 2001. Prior to the large scale destruction of forests, elephants

enjoyed wide distribution in large numbers in both lowlands as well as the hill country of Sri Lanka. Today, except for a small remnant population in the Sinharaja Rainforest, elephants are restricted to the lowlands. Over the past 15 years, human land use has forced the animals from the wet and fertile regions of the Southwest to the drier areas. Now Sri Lanka is home to only an estimated 2,500-3,000 Asian elephants.

Confl icts between man and elephant for the resources of the land have increased signifi cantly over the recent years with the increase in the human population growth and the decline in the forest cover in Sri Lanka. Crop depredation by elephants has become a way of life. Farmers who bear the brunt of elephant crop depredations have in extreme circumstances resorted to killing elephants. To date, the human elephant confl icts in Sri Lanka have not been mitigated satisfactorily as the fi eld forces are under equipped, under funded, under paid and under staffed to resolve the confl icts.

During the last decade, a total of 1,369 elephants were killed, of which the largest number (526 animals or 38.4%) were killed in the northwest. Gunshot injuries account for 56% of the elephant deaths. Other causes of elephant mortality include electrocution (by being entangled with exposed naked wires left by farmers to protect their goods), poisoning, land mines, accidental fall into wells, collision with vehicles (such as trains) and natural causes. Such a high rate of elephant mortality is unsustainable, given the relatively small population of wild elephants on the island. Of the 1,369 elephants that died in the confl ict, 925 (or 67.6%) were bulls while 321 (or 23.4%) were females from family units. Such directed slaughter can greatly affect the sex ratio. In addition to the loss of elephants, a total of 536 people were killed by wild elephants in Sri Lanka between 1992 and 2001, of which 400 (or 74.6%) were males, 70 (or 13% females and 66 (or 12.3%) were children.

Results of scientifi c research on human-elephant relationships and confl icts must reach the community level. With funding provided by the International Elephant Foundation, the Bundala Biodiversity Conservation Group designed and produced a human-elephant co-existence awareness poster in both Sinhala and English, and distributed the poster in affected areas. The poster provided valuable information to the people of Sri Lanka helping

them to make i n f o r m e d decisions about the future of elephants in Sri Lanka.

During the study’s pre-evaluat ion p e r i o d , 2 3 6 interviews in 21 pre-selected sites were completed. Almost 68 percent of those interviewed were farmers between 25 to 60 years of age, while 32 percent were schoolchildren. Most of the farmers owned 2 to 20 acres of land and farming was their sole occupation and source of income. Rice is their main crop while vegetables and fruits were their secondary crops. During the survey, interviewers encountered many crops damaged by the elephants.

Survey results showed that 46% farmers believed that the elephants could be kept away from crops using the traditional methods such as fi re and fi re crackers. But 23 percent of the interviewed farmers said that only fi rearms were effective against elephants. The survey also indicated that the amount of money spent on things to keep the elephants out of the crops, such as kerosene oil, batteries, man power, was extremely high, in some areas over 10,000 rupees. According to the farmers, this additional cost cannot be covered by selling their products.

Thirty-six percent of the farmers said that elephants were problematic, and 71 percent of the farmers said that human elephant confl ict had increased dramatically during the past twenty years. Sixty-four percent of the interviewed farmers were unaware of the decrease in the elephant population. However all the people interviewed believed that the elephant should be protected by the government.

During the post evaluation period, 214 interviews in 21 pre-selected sites were completed. Of those interviewed, 66.32 percent were between the age of 25 to 60 while

Developing A Human-Elephant Co-Existence Awareness Poster for the People of Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan holding IEF funded poster

10 11

33.17 percent were school children. Ninety percent of the people interviewed said that the poster was very good and that it was appropriate to attempt to change the attitude of the people from conflict to co-existing with elephants. It was suggested that conservation strategies should address the problem of human and elephant competition.

The human elephant conflicts in Sri Lanka are the results of many factors but deforestations remains the root cause. The highest

percentage of forest cover today is found in the lowlands of the dry zone where most of the elephants occur. This indicates that emphasis in any conservation policy must be placed on maintaining forest cover over large areas

uninterrupted b y h u m a n settlements and roads, where r e m o t e n e s s , difficulty of terrain and density of cover provide natural p r o t e c t i o n for elephants p r o m o t i n g a system of protected and unprotected areas that can be managed.

If the elephant is to survive in Sri Lanka, co-existence between man and the elephant must be reached. The communities that suffer from elephant depredations must be properly managed for their losses. The local communities must be encouraged to participate fully in decisions affecting their land and resources. Elephant conservation will be ineffective in the absence of widespread awareness of the problems and community support for solutions. (Rohan Cooray)

Farmers watch for elephants from platforms in trees.

Palm trees being cultivated for their oil

Elephants to Benefit from IEF-AZA CollaborationThe International Elephant Foundation and the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA), a nonprofit organiza-tion dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science and recreation, have entered into a new partnership (Memorandum of Un-derstanding, MOU) to help identify and fund critical con-servation and research projects that will benefit Asian and African elephants. Both IEF and AZA recognize the value that North American elephant-holding facilities can provide to conservation through financial support and in-kind con-tributions of expertise and professional skills, and the value of collaborative efforts on behalf of field conservation and capacity building in elephant range states. This MOU will help AZA zoos understand where elephant research and con-servation priorities lie and how they can best use their funds

to make an impact on behalf of elephants. AZA-accredited zoos will be able to select a project to fund or they may make undesignated contributions in support of the entire list of IEF projects or of the IEF overall mission.

The IEF is excited about this partnership on behalf of el-ephants everywhere. It multiplies IEF’s impact and will allow IEF to expand its conservation and research efforts globally protecting habitat, contributing to human-elephant conflict mitigation and advancing the scientific investigation of both species. The reality is, what we call the ‘wild’ in Af-rica and Asia is quickly disappearing and what little wild is left is inundated with unresolved human-elephant conflicts. As wild space continues to diminish, there will be few places on earth where elephants are not managed in some way by

News In Brief...

Support of Conservation Response Units (CRU) at the Sebalt ECC in Bengkulu Province, Sumatra

IEF received a United States Fish and Wildlife Service grant in the amount of $13,860 for our project titled “Support of Conservation Response Units (CRU) at the Sebalt ECC in Bengkulu Province, Sumatra.” The purpose of this project is to enable staff and trained elephants to play an active role in protecting forests and wildlife. IEF will help staff identify and mitigate human-elephant confict issues and raise community awareness of wildlife conservation (See article page 1).

10 11

IEF Sponsored Elephant Workshops

Third Elephant Ultrasound Workshops in IndiaUltrasonography is an alternative approach to non-invasive exploration of anatomical

structures, relations and biological processes in elephants. Ultrasonography provides reproducible real time images, cross-sectional imaging of tissues, organ structures, morphometric measurements, documentation and preservation of data. Ultrasound imaging in veterinary and biological sciences offers new information regarding embryonic development, uterine and ovarian function, muscle development, digestive process, etc. where classical experimental techniques are limited. Miniaturised transducer technology has allowed for the development of probes with compact, contoured shapes for access to unexplored anatomical regions in elephants. Many of the new probes offer colour flow imaging, which is an ideal option for investigating fluid trends inside a body like blood or ingesta flow. Improvements in ultrasound technology as well as the development of new types of application techniques will certainly advance the progress of this imaging modality in elephant research.

The workshops took place at different sites in India and were taught by Dr. Dennis Schmitt, Southwest Missouri State University, USA. The workshops allowed the sharing of knowledge about the use of ultrasound in elephants. At the end of the workshops, IEF donated ultra-portable ultrasonographic equipment to Project Elephant for use in elephant projects in India. The continued collaboration with researchers using this valuable resource of well-trained elephants and competent staff can provide valuable information for the management of captive and free-ranging elephants. (Heidi Riddle)

AZA Principles of Elephant ManagementThe International Elephant Foundation is pleased to announce a US $1,500 scholarship

available annually to promote the careers of professional elephant handlers. This annual scholarship underwrites the cost of tuition and expenses.

This AZA course is designed to explain the principles and techniques of the various elephant management systems using interactive classroom presentations, evening work sessions, group projects and post-course assignments directed by recognized experts in training theory and elephant management. Topics covered in this course include: training and enrichment, the continuum of elephant management systems, population management and the role of the elephant manager.

Elephant Ultrasound WorkshopThe International Elephant Foundation is

pleased to announce a US $1,400 scholarship available annually to promote the skills of veterinarians, ultrasound technicians and reproductive physiologists in the technology of ultrasound in elephants. Workshop participants learn evaluation techniques and the interpretation of ultrasound imaging, as well as semen collection in elephants. Hands-on breeding soundness and general health evaluations are performed using the elephants at the Riddle’s Elephant and Wildlife Sanctuary.

12 13

International Elephant Conservation and Research Symposium Update

In 2003, the International Elephant Foundation and the Biodiversity & Elephant Conserva-tion Trust hosted a landmark symposium that

brought researchers and conservationists from 23 different countries of Asia and Africa together to share lessons between the two vastly differing continents and to come up with means to ensure the survival of the African and Asian elephant. The three-day symposium held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, was titled Human Elephant Relationships and Conflicts and served to introduce new conservation techniques and elephant research, and communi-cate present and past experiences in dealing with conflict between man and elephant.

All over their range, elephants come into close con-tact and conflict with people. The Asian elephants adaptability to changing environments and its pref-erences to open, forest edges places the elephant in increasing danger of direct contact with humans. In addition, many of the historic elephant habitats are becoming densely populated with humans. While the majority of elephants live in Africa and there are very large natural reserves and less human popula-tion density, human elephant conflict is becoming more and more common in Africa. The root causes of the conflict and socio-economic situation of the people involved are startlingly similar in both con-tinents. The agricultural practices in many of the countries on both continents encourage elephants to venture into human habitation.

The symposium resulted in more than 50 papers on a wide range of elephant-related topics presented by

scientists, field researchers, funding agencies, zoo-logical gardens, veterinary surgeons and conserva-tionists. The topics ranged from historical perspec-tives of human elephant relationships to genetic research, to documentation of conflict in different countries and ranges, management of domesticated elephants and traditional knowledge in elephant capture. These papers are now published in a book titled Endangered Elephants: Past Present and Fu-ture, edited by Jayantha Jayewardene, who was also instrumental in organizing the symposium

The final discussions at 2003 symposium led to an agreement that the forum would request the United Nations to establish an inter-governmental body with scientific support from the IUCN Specialist Groups on Elephant Conservation. The aim of such a body would be to coordinate initiatives within a global strategy for future survival of the elephant, to encourage inter-agency communication and assist range states in the development and imple-mentation of policies that would protect elephant habitats.

The International Elephant Foundation sponsored the 2004 International Elephant Research Sympo-sium December 2-5, 2004, hosted by the Fort Worth Zoo. This important symposium concentrated on the research and conservation needs of captive and wild populations of elephants. Researchers from around the world presented conservation projects and research results on elephant management, health, nutrition, reproduction, calf management, behavior and elephant well-being. As in the 2002

and 2003 Research and Conservation Sym-posiums, IEF was able to fund a number of participants from Africa and Asia to attend the meeting through donations made by generous IEF supporters. The International audience noted that the scientific quality of the papers was exceptional and the conclud-ing audience open discussion placed a high priority on sharing data and establishing future collaborations among investigators. The discussion also encouraged IEF to de-velop a means to gather and disseminate information about current scientific and conservation projects in an effort to keep elephant researchers worldwide informed of the most recent developments. (Deborah Olson)

IEF Executive Director, Deborah Olson, and IEF President, Michael Fouraker (back row, second from left), with IEF funded conference delegates from Africa and Asia

12 13

IEF and project partners have been assisting the Cambodian government to support and mobilize rapid response teams to manage and mitigate human-elephant conflict throughout Cambodia.

Two main areas have emerged as priority zones and teams have been placed to attend incidents, offer support to local people in terms of proper reporting to the authorities and have provided a number of mitigation methods to prevent retribution killings of elephants in the affected areas. In fact, the teams have been so effective that no killings of elephants have been recorded since project start-up, an outstanding achievement. However, in order to maintain this situation, teams continue to need funding, motivation and the provision of tools at a field level, to assist communities to manage and mitigate conflict.

During this initial phase of the project, some important information has been discovered:• Conflict events are, presently, quite localized,• People are very intolerant and feel they have been abandoned by the authorities;• Techniques for mitigation are going to need to be low-tech, low cost and repeatable; and

• There is a lack of understanding amongst government decision-makers about any form of problem animal control issues.

While it has been possible to establish a field response capacity and we have had limited successes in keeping people and elephants living side by side, we are learning that the issue of human-elephant interaction is complex, requiring a concerted long-term approach.

Our field teams have established good relations with local officials responsible for the management of the issue and we have ensured that a long term approach to conflict mitigation is firmly established in the minds of the affected communities and conflict mitigation teams.

With this in mind, our future activities will be focused on supporting these relationships and cultivating innovation in addressing the problem, while targeting more senior government officials responsible for some of the more difficult elephant management issues. (Joe Heffernon)

Establishment of a Human-Elephant Conflict Response Network in Cambodia

In 2005, the International Elephant Foundation (IEF) and the Houston Zoo partnered to host an International En-dotheliotropic Elephant Herpes Virus (EEHV) Workshop,

focused on finding a means to diagnose, treat and prevent EEHV, which is the number one killer of Asian elephant calves in North America.

This devastating disease accounts for 20 percent of Asian el-ephants deaths in North America in the past 25 years and has been implicated as the cause of death of elephants worldwide. Elephants affected are usually very young, mostly under 7 years of age. Because of IEF’s commitment to the long-term survival of the North American Asian elephant population, the organization co-hosted the Endotheliotropic Elephant Herpes Virus Work-shop in lieu of the annual IEF Elephant Research Symposium, which will resume in 2006.

The EEHV Workshop took place in Houston, Texas at the end of September, drawing a broad base of expertise. Physicians, veterinarians, pathologists, researchers and biologists attended and discussed topics such as serology, epidemiology, prevention, diagnosis and treatment. (Deborah Olson)

2005 Endotheliotropic Elephant Herpes Virus Workshop

14 15

Through IEF’s Conservation Project Grant , two satellite-tracking collars and user-fees for tracking were purchased. One collar was attached to a high-ranking female in each of the study herds.

This study provides satellite-tracking data on two significant elephant herds associated with the area in and around Cameroon’s Waza National Park. Researchers wanted to delineate the land-use patterns of these two herds because both have a history of causing significant crop damage in areas outside the park. In addition, one of the herds suffers from a high incidence of poaching. Researchers hoped that following this herd would lead to a reduction in this poaching rate by allowing researchers to determine if and where the herd was crossing into Nigeria. The tracking data was provided to the Cameroonian government so that anti-poaching patrols could be concentrated along the migration routes identified by this study. (Dr. Michael Loomis)

Currently, it is not possible to easily and quickly obtain supplies for hand-rearing elephant calves. A supply of elephant milk and colostrum is not

readily available to most elephant breeding facilities. In addition, keeping a stock on hand and not utilizing it is economically unfeasible. These problems can be avoided by accessing supplies from one professionally managed central source.

Through an IEF Conservation Project grant, the Fort Worth Zoo purchased an upright ultra-low freezer for maintaining a stock of supplies of elephant formula, milk, colostrum and serum for immediate shipment to facilities with newborn calves in need of nutritional support short or long term. Grober elephant milk replacer and milk from a Fort Worth Asian elephant cow are currently on-hand, and a protocol for hand- rearing and milk replacer for 48 hours is available. In the future, the data from each calf hand-reared will be reviewed to determine if changes are needed in the current protocol. A protocol for collecting milk samples will be distributed for institutions with

pregnant female elephants, and efforts will be made to obtain and add colostrum and serum to the freezer stock. (Ann Ward, M.S.)

Development of an Elephant Hand-rearing Resource Center

Land Use and Migration Patterns of the Elephants in Cameroon

Ann Ward, Fort Worth Zoo Nutri-tionist, with ultra low freezer and milk replacer

14 15

ASIAN ELEPHANTS

- Forest Elephant Surveys, Poaching and Conflict Mitigation in the Campo Ma’an National Park and Adjacent Forest Lands, Southern Cameroon (initiated 2005)- The Impact of Social Status, Age and Climate on Reproduction in African elephants (initiated 2005)- Elephants, Crops and People (2006)- Elephant Outreach Program (2006)- Monitoring Movement Patterns of Bull Elephants in the Tarangire Ecosystem (2006)- Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) in the Samburu-Laikipia Ecosystem (2006)- Negotiating Partnerships and Building Capacity for Improved Anti-poaching and Control of Illegal Bushmeat Trade Around the Campo-Ma’an National Park and its Environs, Cameroon (2006)

- Sumatran Elephant Conservation Centers (initiated 2000)- Saving Elephants by Helping People: Creating Ways for People and Elephants to Co-Exist in Sri Lanka (initiated 2002)- Establishment of a Human-Elephant Conflict Response Network in Cambodia: Development of Locally-applicable Human-elephant Conflict Mitigation Methods in Rural Cambodia (initiated 2004)- Protecting the Asian Elephant in Southwest Cambodia. (initiated 2005)- Pilot Project to Provide Expertise in Immuno-contraceptive Vaccines to Camp Elephants (initiated 2005)- Capacity Building in the CITE MIKE Programme in Myanmar (2006)- Employing a Night-time Video Recording System During Assessment and Continued Development of Olfactory/ Mechanical Devices to Reduce Negative Elephant-Human Interactions (2006)- Improving Livelihoods for Farmers Affected by Human-Elephant Conflict (2006)- Mahouts and Their Elephants Working as Conservation Response Units in Sumatra (initiated 2005)- A Proposal to Increase Human-Elephant Co-existence Through a Community-Based Elephant Monitoring & Awareness Program at Selected Sites in Sri Lanka (2006)

CURRENT IN SITU PROJECTS

- Workshop and Manual on Survey, Monitoring, and Conservation Techniques for Asian Elephants (initiated 2003)- Developing A Human-Elephant Co-Existence Awareness Poster for the people of Sri Lanka (2004)- Ultrasound Procedures Training Workshops in Asia (2001-2004)- Proposal for a Sumatran Elephant Resource Center (2003)- Radio Collaring to Monitor Seasonal Ranging Patterns in Sri Lanka (2002)- Ascertaining the Status of the Domestic Elephant Population in Sri Lanka (2002)- Training of Sri Lankan Veterinarians (2001)- Zoo Outreach Organization (2000)

PREVIOUSLY FUNDED IN SITU PROJECTS

AFRICAN ELEPHANTS

International Elephant Foundation:

CURRENT IN SITU PROJECTS

Development of an Elephant Hand-rearing Resource Center

16 17

- DNA Analysis of Ivory Origin (2001)- International School for Elephant Management Scholarship (2001-2003)- Cryopreservation of African Elephant Semen (2002)- Study of Influence of Female Urine on Male Reproductive Behavior (2002)- Support for IUCN/SSC Pachyderm Publication (2002-2004)- Elephant Presentation Visitor Awareness Survey (2003-2004)- Development of an Elephant Hand-rearing Resource Center (2004)- Elephant Foot Anatomy and Pathology (2004)- Support for the Publication of the Journal of the Elephant Managers Association (JEMA) and Support of Member Recruitment and Retention Programs (2003-2004)

Conservation and Research Project Support 1999-2006

EX SITU PROJECTS FOR ASIAN AND AFRICAN ELEPHANTS

- Annual International Elephant Conservation and Research Symposium (initiated 2000) - AZA Principles of Elephant Management Scholarship (initiated 2000)- Ultrasound Workshop for Zoo and Wildlife Professionals Scholarship (initiated 2001)- Use of Urinary Cortisol Analysis to Assess Adrenal Function in Asian and African Elephants (initiated 2002)- Developing Effective Methods of Semen Cryopreservation for the Captive Asian Elephant (initiated 2004)- Behavioral and Chemical Correlations during Musth: Information Relevant for Conservation and Captive Manage- ment (initiated 2004)- Comparative analyses of seminal plasma from Asian and African elephants (initiated 2005)- The Use of Directional Freezing for the Cryopreservation of Elephant Semen for use in Artificial Insemination (initiated 2005)- Test of Different Formulations of a Long-lasting, Single-dose Contraceptive Vaccine on Captive African Elephants (initiated 2005)- Save the Elephants’ Listservs on African and Asian Elepants: Enhancing Elephant Conservation and Education (initiated 2005)- Technical Support for the TAG/SSP Reproductive Survey of Captive Elephants in North America (initiated 2005)- Elephant Semen Cryopreservation - Standardization of Techniques for Assessing Sperm Structural Integrity (2006)- Study to Reduce Elephant Deaths Caused by Endotheliotropic Elephant Herpes Virus (EEHV) (2006)

CURRENT PROJECTS

PREVIOUSLY FUNDED PROJECTS

- Elephant Protection in Garamba National Park (2000-2005)- Support of the Study of the Reproductive Strategies in the Male African Elephant (2002-2004)- Land Use and Migration Patterns of the Elephants in Cameroon (2002-2004)- CITES Monitoring for Illegal Killing of Elephants Programe (2003 and 2005)- Support to IUCN/SSC African Elephant Specialist Group for the Production of Re-introduction Guidelines for African Elephants (2003-2004)

PREVIOUSLY FUNDED PROJECTS

16 17

Conservation and Research Project Support 1999-2006

Asian elephants are critically endangered due to diminishing wild populations from habitat destruction and poaching. The African elephant is

less endangered but still suffers from loss of habitat and poaching. Due to the many challenges and constraints of breeding elephants in captivity, Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART), like artificial insemination (AI), have become important breeding tools to increase reproduction in captive elephants. Although several pregnancies have resulted from AI with fresh semen, the inability to consistently obtain good quality semen continues to be a problem. Therefore, it is important to better understand the factors influencing semen quality in elephants. Furthermore, there is an urgent need to develop an effective sperm cryopreservation protocol for elephants.

In order to survive long-term, the breeding rates of North American African and Asian elephant populations must increase several fold to prevent captive ‘extinction.’ The situation is made worse by the limited number of reproductively viable bulls and few elephant breeding centers. For this reason, the International Elephant Foundation has designated artificial insemination and development of sperm cryopreservation as major areas of research focus and support.

Developing effective methods of semen cryopreservation for the captive Asian elephant

The long-term survival of Asian elephants could be greatly enhanced by the development of artificial insemination and semen cryopreservation techniques. This study assesses the effects of different concentrations of different cryoprotectants on post-thaw characteristics of Asian elephant semen stored in liquid nitrogen. High quality ejaculates were collected by rectal massage from a mature Asian elephant bull housed at the African Lion Safari in Cambridge, Ontario. Preliminary conclusions indicate that DMSO concentration of four percent provides superior cryoprotection for pellet-frozen Asian elephant semen and that lactose-based extenders provide superior cryoprotection for straw-frozen Asian elephant semen.

This study also discovered that thawing straws at 75º

C resulted in superior post-thaw viability compared to thawing at 37º C or 50º C. Future studies will be looking at the effect of different intervals of storage at 4º C on post-thaw motility. Storing extended semen for at least 24 hours at 4º C prior to freezing results in a catastrophic loss in post-thaw motility with post-thaw motility usually less than 20 percent. A necessary part of the continuation of this study will investigate methods of freezing sperm

that can be done under field conditions shortly after collection (i.e. dry ice or liquid nitrogen vapor).

Comparative analyses of seminal plasma from Asian and African elephants

Although artificial insemination with fresh semen has proven successful, reliance on fresh semen continues to impose severe logistical limitations. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop semen cryopreservation to facilitate easier transport and long-term storage. Previous studies have demonstrated species-specific differences in sperm viability following cryopreservation among Asian and African elephants and a high incidence of variability in semen quality both among bulls of the same species as well as, between ejaculates from the same bull. Because spermatozoa are mixed with accessory gland fluids that provide both nutrients and other factors, individual differences in these components of the semen influence the overall semen quality. The goal of this project is to investigate these differences in seminal plasma characteristics to determine if these differences affect sperm viability, motility and acrosomal integrity.

The use of directional freezing for the cryopreservation of elephant semen for use in artificial insemination AI is a useful tool to increase captive fecundity, permit reproduction in females that do not have ready access to males and offers more flexibility with genetic management. In order for AI programs to be more feasible on a widespread basis, the collection and preservation of high quality semen must be mastered. The novel directional freezing technology proposes to not only provide a means to maintain a high percentage of normal sperm parameters that cannot be surpassed by conventional methods, but can also provide a means for cryopreservation when conventional methods fail, as in the Asian elephant.

Developing Effective Methods of Semen Cryopreservation for the Captive Asian Elephant

Wendy Kiso works on semen cryo-preservation techniques in the lab

18

Expenses

Revenue

2004 Financial Summary

85%

11%

4%

InvestmentsIn kind goods and services

Cash contributions

Fund raising Administration Programs

90%

8%

2%

*2004 IRS 990

18

18

What can you do to help the IEF conserve elephants?

I / We would like to help save elephants by donating the following amount

(circle one):

The International Elephant Foundation is dedicated to saving African and Asian elephants by providing funds and scientifi c expertise to support elephant research and conservation programs worldwide. More than 91% of funds raised go directly into elephant programs. Join us in the fi ght to save the elephant!

Medicine and health care for African and Asian elephants in range countriesA GPS unit for elephant protection programsOne third kilometer of solar-powered electric fence to reduce human-elephant confl ictEducational scholarship supportA research grant for elephant scientists and biologists

$100$250$500

$1,500$5,000

International Elephant FoundationP.O. Box 366

Azle, Texas 76098www.elephantconservation.org

POSTAGE REQUIREDPLACE HERE

85%

11%

4%

Name:Address:City: State: Zip:Phone:Payment (circle one): check VISA MC DiscoverAccount Number:

Signature

Please make checks out to the “International Elephant Foundation.” Mail your donation and completed form to International Elephant Foundation, P.O. Box 366, Azle, Texas 76098. Ask your employer if they have a matching donation program!IEF is a 501 (c)(3) organization - Combined Federal Campaign CFC #9979

$25 $50 $100 $250 $500 $1,000 Other