Don't let the sun set on the Asian elephant

Elephants in Nepal

Elephants have long been part of Nepalese culture and tradition. Elephants play an important role in religious (mainly Hindu) beliefs in Nepal and there is a long history of domestication particularly related to religious use.

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Nepal Elephant Population Figures
Elephant Range 2,500 km² approx
Country Ranking Joint 10th of 13
Total Wild Elephants 100 - 170
Country Ranking 12th of 13
Total Captive Population 170
Country Ranking 8th-13th

Source: R Sukumar - A Brief Review of the Status, Distribution and Biology of Wild Asian Elephants Elephas maximus- International Zoo Yearbook 2006

While this information source is considered the very best available, accurate data on wild elephant populations is difficult to obtain and scientifically verify.

Nepal has between 100-170 wild elephants

Wild Elephants in Nepal

Up until the 1960's there was a large elephant population throughout the lowland forest area of Nepal. However rapidly rising human populations saw mass resettlement and land clearance which has had a devastating effect on elephant numbers.
Wild elephants in Nepal are often migratory visitors from Bengal. Most of the wild populations are found in small heavily fragmented groups with little chance of being viable in the long term. However one glimmer of light is within the boundaries of the Royal Bardia National Park where a significant population increase has been recorded rising from 25 elephants in the early 90's to over 50 individuals a decade later.
The Nepalese government has recognised the importance of elephant conservation and has established five protected reserves and an elephant breeding facility at Khorsor.

In the Royal Bardia National Park there has been an increase in elephant numbers

Wild elephants migrate to Nepal from Bengal

Domesticated Elephants in Nepal

The number of domesticated elephants in Nepal had been steadily declining from the turn of the 20th century to the 1970s. However the last 25-30 years has seen an increase in numbers. The reason for the reverse of the trend is partially for the increasing availability of work for a growing eco tourist industry and also a conscious decision by the Nepalese authorities to use domesticated elephants to conserve the wild population.
Most of the captive elephants are located in camps based around the National Parks and are used for tourist excursion. However a small number are used to help with other conservation policies. Trained elephants were used to capture 5 wild rhinos who were translocated to create a viable family group. Elephants have also been used in the forests to help count wild rhino and tiger.

Trained elephants in Nepal are used to conduct wildlife surveys

Domesticated elephants in Nepal are employed mainly in the eco tourist business

Summary

Although small in number, Nepal's elephant population is stable and probably has long term viability. A forward thinking conservation policy and motivated officials will almost certainly contribute to to the maintenance of numbers in the near and medium term future.

Nepal's elephant population is small but stable