THRISSUR: Bengaluru Transdisciplinary University is working with the International Elephant Foundation of America to tame elephants to avoid conflict. The scheme implemented in Kerala for mahouts, owners and public will later be extended across the country.

Mahouts will be provided elephant skills training to understand disease, diet and behaviour of elephants. For this, experts will reach the respective places and give practical and theory classes in the presence of elephants. 100 mahouts will be selected from each state for training.

Initial study of the project will start soon in Thrissur. Then it will be implemented all over Kerala. The initial cost is Rs 8.5 lakh. The project is jointly funded by the Transdisciplinary University and the International Elephant Foundation. The training will take place in places the presence of wild elephants is more. But the study on the method and duration of training is ongoing.

Prof. Dr. TP Sethumadhavan is the principal investigator of the project. Elephant specialist Dr. P.B. Giridas is the co-principal investigator.

A system will be implemented with the help of the Union Ministry of Forests and Environment to alert people through sensors when wild animals enter the forest.

30,000 elephants in the country

Total wild elephants in India – 30,000 (Based on census of Union Forest and Environment Department)

Other Elephants- More than 2,000

Elephants in Kerala- 445

No of elephants that dies per year – 20-30

People died in Aralam farm due to wild elephant attack in one year - 10