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.