This is not Newzealand Farm, this is Kaudulla National park

[mithila]

Below images are from a visit approximately two months back (early November). Kaudulla national park seems to have become grazing lands for domestic cattle and they were there in huge numbers.

Isn't cattle grazing illegal in National Parks? What impact will this have on the food supply for elephants and in turn on the Human Elephant conflict if this deprives elephants from having enough land for grazing?

[Asiri]

Hi Mithjila,

I am surprised too as this is the first time I have seen buffalos in numbers like this and your point is spot on but the lack of an effective policy plan to distant the village bundaries with proper fencing  and poor re-location process could be one reason for this and the Elephant Human conflict as well.May be it is a long term plan and slow process but still should be a key factor in the wild life department 's agenda.

Asiri

[Sheham]

Hello Mithila,

I have seen this big time in Udawalawe, and few days back when I was in Yala.  I have a picture with Cows & Elephants in one frame, will find it and upload.

Kind regards
Sheham

[Kosala]

Hi All;
Yes you all are true in reporting and comments. This is illegal, inappropriate, damaging to both fauna and flora and should be stopped immediately.
This was same in Bundala too, some time back and at that time what authorities did was to herd them catch them and auction them, as I know, even the owners of 'Brands" were not allowed to claim ownership. I do not know the situation now.

I do not know why authorities are not practicing this practice, they have all the powers t do so. Rather than auctioning the caught heards can be given to milk farmers.

Kosala

[Rish]

Hi All

Thanks Mithila for the pictures..
Observed the same at Minneriya NP a couple of months back.

I have forwarded this to Dr. Tharaka of the Wildlife Dept.
Hopefully we will receive a comment from him or the Dept.
Travelers' inputs could be a major help for our authorities to identify, solve and monitor issues that relate to our wildlife.
Everyone can work hand-in-hand and get a lot of things done...
 
Rish

[sriyantha]

I took these photos 3 weeks ago (June 3, 2012) at Minneriya National Park. At least 30 cows were grazing on grass that wild elephants feed on, right next to the Minneriya wewa. I asked the tracker from wildlife department and he said they are aware of this but unable to take action. If anyone has contacts who can take action please let me know so I can send these pictures to them.

[Kosala]

 

BTW, Sriyantha; the Elephant in the picture looks like having albino properties 

Kosala

[Tags:]

Jump to: Please select a destination: ----------------------------- Event Announcements ----------------------------- => Lectures, Seminars, Exhibitions, Book Launches and similar events => Trip Announcements and Invitations ----------------------------- Excursion Planning Help, Sightings and Trip reports ----------------------------- => Responsible Travel Tips and Traveler Knowledge => Trip Planning Help Center => Sightings and Trip Reports => Where to Stay - Accommodation options close to Nature and Wildlife attractions => Guides & Local Resource Persons => Road side Assistance => Weather Updates => Google Earth Trail Maps ----------------------------- Species Identification Help center ----------------------------- => Birds: Discussions & Identification Help => Plants and Flowers: Disucssions & Identification Help => Other Animals: Discussions & Identification Help ----------------------------- Conservation through creating awareness ----------------------------- => Conservation efforts/ Issues => Research Findings and Papers - Latest Discoveries and Knowledge => Eco Living Ideas ----------------------------- Equipments reviews, discussions, buy and sell ----------------------------- => Photography related Discussions, Equipment Reviews buy and sell => Navigation related Discussions, Equipment Reviews buy and sell => General equipment reviews, discussions, buy and sell ----------------------------- Introductions, General discussions & Resources ----------------------------- => Introductions and General Discussions => Paper Cuttings => Publications: Information, Requests and Reviews => Folklore – Explore culture while you travel => Useful Links