POPULATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF ASIAN ELEPHANT (Elephas maximus Linn.) IN CHUNATI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, BANGLADESH

Forest
area of Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS)
is one of the grazing and liking breeding grounds of
Asian elephant (Elephas maximus
Linn.) in Bangladesh. The study was carried out from July 2013 to June
2014 in CWS of Bangladesh to estimate the population and find out habitat using
pattern and feeding ecology Asian elephant. Through
this study Asian elephant population estimation efforts were made in Chunati
Wildlife Sanctuary following-direct observation and total counting and indirect
observation of foot prints and dung calculations methods. For habitat detection
and feeding direct watching of ingestion and
indirect inspections of taking foods from fodders were pursued. A total of 25
(twenty-five) elephants of which 23 (twenty-three) elephants in 5 herds and 2
(two) solitary bull, were recorded during 2013-14 from Chunati WS. Herd size
was estimated 3.57 ± 3.24. Distribution of Asian elephant was seen all the beat
forest areas of Chunati WS. The
paper also deals with the Asian elephant habitat, fodder plants and threats to
the species survival in Chunati WS.