REPORT ON PEGU and ARAKAN YOMA SURVEY - Asian Nature

141 Pages·2013·6.55 MB·English

The Bio-diverse Myanmar
And it’s Elephants

Status Survey, Population Evaluation and
Preparation of a Conservation Plan for Asian Elephants
& Inventory of Biodiversity in Bago Yoma, Rakhine Yoma
& Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park, Myanmar
The Bio-diverse Myanmar
And it’s Elephants

Status Survey, Population Evaluation and
Preparation of a Conservation Plan for Asian Elephants
& Inventory of Biodiversity in Bago Yoma, Rakhine Yoma &
Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park, Myanmar
Suggested Citation
<Author name/s>. (2007). <Paper title>, In: The Bio-diverse Myanmar and it’s Elephants:
Status Survey, Population Evaluation and Preparation of a Conservation Plan for Asian
Elephants and Inventory of Biodiversity in Bago Yoma, Rakhine Yoma and Alaungdaw
Kathapa National Park, Myanmar, Asian Elephant Research & Conservation Centre (A
Division of Asian Nature Foundation), C/o Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of
Science, Bangalore.

All rights reserved. Reproduction and dissemination of material in this publication for
educational or non-commercial purposes is permitted without any prior permission provided
the source is fully acknowledged and appropriate credit is given. Reproduction for
commercial purposes is permissible with the written permission of the copyright holders.
Requests for permissions should be addressed to Asian Elephant Research & Conservation
Centre (AERCC- a Division of Asian Nature Conservation Foundation-ANCF), C/o Centre
for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
Copyright © AERCC-2007
Photo Credits: Section 1; 4a, 6,8,Section 3; 5a, Section 5; 2a, d, e, 3a: Myanmar Forest
Department; Section 1; 4b, Section 4; 2, 3a,b, 5, Section 6; 2,3b,4,5,6,7a,b,11 and 12:
Scientific Exploration Society, Section 7; 2a: AERCC, all other photographs: Surendra Varma
Survey Team
(From Myanmar Forest Department and Myanmar Timber Enterprise)

U Than Tun Aye Range officer
U Tin Aung Soe Range officer
U Khaing Nyunt Range officer
U Myint Maung Ranger
U Soe Thiha Htwe Ranger
U Aung Naing Aye Ranger
U Sein Aung Min Ranger
U Thein Lwin Ranger
U Aung Maung Ranger
U Saw Ble Ranger
U Kan Aung Deputy Ranger
U Aye Tun Deputy Ranger
U Sein Win Deputy Ranger
U Min Zaw Deputy Ranger
U Win Naing Deputy Ranger
U Lin Maung Deputy Ranger
U Hla Thaung Deputy Ranger
U Htay Win Deputy Ranger
U Nyo Maung Deputy Ranger
U Kyaw Min Oo Deputy Ranger
U Myint Swe Deputy Ranger
U Tun Wai Deputy Ranger

(From Scientific Exploration Society –SES)

Cathy Summers Expedition deputy leader
Paul Bates Small mammal expert,
John Cosgrove Expedition doctor
Ed Barnes Expedition member
David Read Expedition member
Hugh Bennington-Sears Artist and Photographer
Rosa Bennington-Sears Artist and Photographer
Mark Hewes Expedition member
Nicky Dunnington-Jefferson Expedition member
Debra Harper Expedition member
Venetia Dearden Photographer
Geoffrey Tomlinson Expedition member
Principal Investigator
R. Sukumar

Conservation Biologist & Research Officer
Surendra Varma

Survey Co-ordinator
U Uga

Survey Team Leader
U Ye Htut

Expedition leader
Colonel John Blashford-Snell (JBS)

ORGANIZATIONS

Asian Elephant Conservation Centre
Centre for Ecological Sciences
Indian Institute of Science
Bangalore - 560 012, India

And

Asian Elephant Research and Conservation Centre
(A Division of Asian Nature Conservation Foundation)
Centre for Ecological Sciences
Indian Institute of Science
Bangalore - 560 012, India

In collaboration with

Wildlife and Nature Conservation Division
Ministry of Forestry
Yangon, Myanmar

IUCN/SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group

And
Scientific Exploration Society, U.K

FUNDED BY

Rotterdam Zoo, The Netherlands
The John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, USA
Contents
Preface 1
Acknowledgements 4

Section 1: Population Evaluation of Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) in commercially
Exploited Habitats of Myanmar 5

Abstract 6
Introduction 7
Material and Methods 7
Survey Sites 7
Current Habitat and Legal Status 9
Methods 10
General 10
Density Estimation 11
Data Analysis 12
Results and Discussion 13
Recommendations for Population Survey Based on the Management Plan 14
References 14

Table 1. Forest reserves sampled, area, number and percentage of transects surveyed, their
topography and microhabitats, distance covered and number dung piles recorded for Bago,
Rakhine and AKNP regions 16

Table 2. Elephant density estimates for different reserves in Bago, Rakhine and AKNP 17

Table 3: Comparison of results across elephant habitats in India and Myanmar 18

Section 2: Population Estimation of the Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus) in Bago
Yoma, central Myanmar 19

Abstract 20
Introduction 21
Materials and method 21
Study Area 21
Methods 22
Dung Density 22
Defecation Rate Experiment 23
Decay Rate Experiment 23
Data Analysis 23
Results 23
Discussion 24
Reference 25

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Table 1: Forest reserves sampled for elephant density estimation during elephant survey in
Bago Yoma 26

Table 2: Elephant density estimates in different reserves of Bago Yoma 27

Section 3: Population Status of the Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) in the Rakhine
yoma, Myanmar 29

Abstract 30
Introduction 31
Materials and Method 31
Study Area 31
Methods 32
Dung Density Estimates 33
Defecation Rate Experiment 33
Decay Rate Experiment 34
Village Survey 34
Data Processing 34
Results 35
Status of Human–Elephant Conflict 35
Discussion 35
References 36

Table 1: Forest reserves sampled for elephant density estimation during elephant survey in
Rakhine Yoma 37
Table 2: Elephant density estimates in different reserves of Rakhine Yoma 38

Section 4: Population Status and Conservation of Wild and Captive Asian elephants
(Elephas maximus) in Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park, Myanmar 39

Abstract 40
Introduction 41
Materials and Methods 41
Study Area 41
Methods 42
General 42
Population Estimate of Wild Elephant through Line Transect Method 42
Village Survey for Assessing the Status of Human–Elephant Conflict 42
Captive Elephant Survey 42
Data Processing 43
Results 43
Status of Wild Elephants 43
Status of Human-Elephant Conflict 44
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Captive Elephant Management 44
Population Status 44
Disease and Veterinary care 45
Socio–Economic Status of Elephant Keepers 46
Discussion 46
Status of Wild Elephants in the Park 46
Status of Human Habitation and Resultant Human Elephant conflict 47
Captive elephant status 47
References 47

Table 1: Forest reserves sampled for elephant density estimation during elephant survey in
AKNP 49
Table 2: Elephant density estimates for AKNP 50

Table 3: The common disease reported in camp elephants and the treatment given for the
disease 51

Section 5: Diversity, Conservation and Management of Mammals in Bago Yoma,
Rakhine Yoma and Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park in Myanmar 53
Abstract 54
Introduction 55
Materials and Methods 5 6
Investigation sites 56
Methods 57
General 57
Survey Methods 58
Line Transect Method 58
Forest Trail Survey Method 58
Village survey Method 59
Other Methods 59
Data Analysis 60
Results 61
Significance of occurrence of mammalian species for different regions 61
Bago Yoma 61
Rakhine Yoma 62
AKNP 62
Trend of Species Diversity Reported Across Regions 62
Trend of Similar Species Reported Across Regions 63
Conservation Status of the large mammals reported for different regions 63
Discussion 6 4
Conclusion 66
References 67
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Table 1: Forest reserves sampled, area, number and percentage of transects surveyed and
distance covered for Bago, Rakhine and AKNP regions 69

Table 2: Mammal species recorded for the survey regions of Myanmar 70
Table 3: Mammalian diversity and other associated parameters for survey regions of
Myanmar 71

Section 6: Biodiversity Assessment in Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park (AKNP),
Myanmar 73
Abstract 74
Introduction 75
Study Area 75
Survey Methods 76
General 76
Vegetation Survey 77
Animal Survey 77
Village Survey 78
Data Analysis 78
Vegetation Survey 78
Animal Survey 78
Village Survey 79
Results 79
Vegetation Survey 79
Animal Survey 80
Pattern and Frequency of Sightings of Different Species of Animals 80
Sighting Intervals of Different Species of Animals 80
Mammalian Diversity for AKNP 81
People and Biodiversity Conservation 82
Discussion 83
Conclusions 84
References 84
Table 1: The frequency of girth and diameter class of trees’ species sampled in AKNP 85
Table 2: Animal sightings through different modes 86
Table 3: Frequency of sightings of different species of animals 87
Table 4: Average time and sightings of different species in different time slots 88
Table 5: Frequency of sightings of mammals 89

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Section 7: Elephant Research, Conservation and Management Study Tour and
Capacity Building Programme for Personnel from the Ministry of Forestry, Myanmar 91
Introduction 92
Team Members and their Experience 92
Justification 92
Lay-out of the Study Tour 93
GIS Mapping 94
Human–Elephant Conflict 94
Elephant Poaching 95
Population Count and Habitat Assessment 95
Captive Elephant Management 95
Discussions with Researchers 95
Observations 95
Human-Elephant Conflict 95
Elephant Poaching 96
Animal and Habitat Survey 97
Captive Elephant Management 98
Age Identification (through ear folding) 99
Age Identification (through dentition) 99
Common disease reported in the camp 99
Management and Organization of elephant camp 99
Appendix 1:

I: Walking survey along the fence in Bandipur National Park 100
II: Walking survey along the trench in Bandipur National Park 103
III: Questionnaire survey in the village on trench/fence efficacy in Bandipur National Park 104
IV: Survey along the trench in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary 106
V: Survey along the fence in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary 107
VI: Questionnaire survey in villages on trench/fence efficacy in Wayanad Wildlife
Sanctuary 108
VII: Visit to anti- poaching camps 109
VIII: Survey on anti poaching camps and status of captive elephant management 110
IX: Vehicle survey for habitat and animal study ((location – Bandipur National Park, tourism
zone). 111
X: Line transect survey for estimating large mammal density (dry deciduous forest) 112
XI: Line transect survey for estimating large mammal density (scrub forest) 113
XII: Daily itinerary of the Mynmarese delegation 114
Appendix 2:
Profiles of captive elephants kept in AKNP 118

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