ORCID Profile
0000-0001-5045-2716
Current Organisations
University of Southampton
,
University of Colombo
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Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2023
Publisher: Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society
Date: 26-03-2018
DOI: 10.11609/JOTT.3657.10.3.11391-11398
Abstract: Human-monkey conflicts reached crisis proportions in Sri Lanka over the last 10 years due to extensive deforestation to promote rapid economic growth and agricultural expansion. This resulted in complaints from the public with demands for Sri Lanka’s Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) to solve the problem without delay. Caught between political pressure and public outcry, the DWC’s efforts to deal with the crisis gradually fell into disarray. To overcome this, the SPEARS Foundation--, offered to help the DWC to develop a strategic plan to deal with human-monkey conflicts. This plan was developed through a series of workshops and submitted to the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Wildlife in March 2016 for approval. During and after the development of the strategy, some of its key elements were implemented by the SPEARS Foundation. One of these elements was documenting details of human-monkey conflict from letters of complaint received by DWC. This information was used to initiate a series of field surveys to identify sites suitable for long-term protection of monkeys and other wildlife. When these areas are identified they would be designated as community conservation areas (CCAs), and managed by local stakeholders on a sustainable basis under the supervision of DWC. Establishing CCAs is a new paradigm for Sri Lanka to conserve wildlife while benefitting local communities. Its details were presented in the strategic plan submitted to the government. In this paper, we present the information obtained from the letters of complaint received by DWC and discuss its details. In subsequent reports, we will discuss the results of our field surveys to identify areas suitable for the establishment of CCAs.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2023
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 28-10-0015
DOI: 10.3390/ANI12212965
Abstract: Asian elephants are a principal cause of human-wildlife conflict. This results in the death/injury of elephants and humans and large-scale crop and property damage. Most current human-elephant conflict (HEC) mitigation tools lack the flexibility to accommodate the ecological needs of elephants and are ineffective at reducing HEC in the long-term. Here we review common HEC mitigation tools used in Asia and the potential of Aversive Geofencing Devices (AGDs) to manage problem elephants. AGDs can be configured to monitor animal movements in real-time and deliver auditory warnings followed by electric stimuli whenever animals attempt to move across user-specified virtual boundaries. Thus, AGDs are expected to condition elephants to avoid receiving shocks and keep them away from virtually fenced areas, while providing alternative routes that can be modified if required. Studies conducted using AGDs with other species provide an overview of their potential in conditioning wild animals. We recommend that the efficacy and welfare impact of AGDs be evaluated using captive elephants along with public perception of using AGDs on elephants as a means of addressing the inherent deficiencies of common HEC mitigation tools. If elephants could be successfully conditioned to avoid virtual fences, then AGDs could resolve many HEC incidents throughout Asia.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-05-2023
DOI: 10.1002/AQC.3951
Abstract: Chytridiomycosis, caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis ( Bd ), constitutes a major threat to many hibian species worldwide. Predicting the species and regions of highest geographical risk is critical for the early detection and mitigation of chytrid emergence. In this study, using a niche modelling approach, the most conducive habitat for Bd within Sri Lanka (a high‐risk zone) was modelled. The distribution of 69 hibian species was then modelled and their overlap with the high‐risk zone (area Bd ) was calculated. Using area Bd and a biotic index (BI), created using ecological traits of each species, a risk index (RI) was calculated. Using this RI, a high‐risk species index (HRSI) was developed to identify the species most at risk. The results indicate that the high elevations of Sri Lanka ( m a.s.l.) are highly conducive for Bd . The HRSI includes 35 species, with Minervarya greenii being the species most at risk. All species in the HRSI are globally Critically Endangered ( n = 14) or Endangered ( n = 21). We propose active conservation measures such as the routine monitoring of HRSI species and other proactive measures to identify and prevent the spread of Bd . We believe our findings would promote the establishment of pre‐emptive mitigation measures both within Sri Lanka and elsewhere, to counter the threat of chytridiomycosis and to conserve hibian species.
Publisher: American College of Physicians
Date: 06-2022
DOI: 10.7326/M21-3445
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 18-08-2023
DOI: 10.3390/ANI13162657
Abstract: Aversive geofencing devices (AGDs) or animal-borne satellite-linked shock collars might become a useful tool to mitigate human-elephant conflict (HEC). AGDs have the potential to condition problem elephants to avoid human-dominated landscapes by associating mild electric shocks with preceding audio warnings given as they approach virtual boundaries. We assessed the opinions of different stakeholders (experts, farmers, and others who have and have not experienced HEC n = 611) on the potential use of AGDs on Asian elephants. Most respondents expressed positive opinions on the potential effectiveness of AGDs in managing elephant movement (62.2%). About 62.8% respondents also provided positive responses for the acceptability of AGDs if pilot studies with captive elephants have been successful in managing their movements. Some respondents perceived AGDs to be unacceptable because they are unethical or harmful and would be unsuccessful given wild elephants may respond differently to AGDs than captive elephants. Respondents identified acceptability, support and awareness of stakeholders, safety and wellbeing of elephants, logistical difficulties, durability and reliable functionality of AGDs, and uncertainties in elephants’ responses to AGDs as potential challenges for implementing AGDs. These issues need attention when developing AGDs to increase support from stakeholders and to effectively reduce HEC incidents in the future.
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
No related grants have been discovered for Surendranie Judith Cabral de Mel.