Wild-captive interactions and economics drive dynamics of Asian elephants in Laos

Abstract

The interactions between wild and captive populations of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) persist in most countries of the species distribution, notably through the reproduction between captive females and wild males. However, these complex interactions have been poorly studied, despite their relevance for conservation of this endangered species. Laos has a centuries-long tradition of raising Asian elephants. Besides being cultural icons, captive elephants are inextricably linked to economics through their work in forestry. Using an ecological-economic model, we investigated the effect of socio-economic strategies on fecundity of the Lao population whose dynamics is shaped by human practices. We demonstrated that fecundity is impacted by: i) the dynamics of the wild elephant pool through mating of captive females by wild males, and ii) the financial incentive of elephant owners to breed their animals. As a result, we expect fecundity to rise in response to increases in elephant prices. The captive population will tend towards an asymptotic limit determined by the wild pool growth rate. However, the population will tend to extinction if exports continue. Our ecological-economic approach, by accounting for economic incentives, allows us to predict new equilibria that can serve as a baseline for designing sustainable management strategies for the species.

Zoo elephant research: contributions to conservation of captive and free‐ranging species

“…The line between captive and wild populations is becoming blurred, especially for elephants that struggle to coexist with everexpanding human populations (Schlossberg et al, 2018). Human-elephant interactions are becoming more common (Evans et al, 2018) and in Asia, working elephants are often allowed to roam into surrounding forests at night to graze (Maurer et al, 2017). Human-elephant interactions and ecosystems vary regionally, necessitating different elephant population management approaches.…”

Under pressure: How human‐wild‐captive elephant social‐ecological system in Laos is teetering due to global forces and sociocultural changes

“…The development of agro-plantations, the reduction of shifting cultivation and the privatization of land have affected the dwellings of both wild and captive elephants. Laos, historically known as Lan Xang, the 'Land of a million elephants', shelters both wild and captive elephants with high levels of interactions between the two populations (Maurer et al, 2017). In Lao language, captive elephants (Xang ban) are literally called 'village elephants' where 'ban' means village or home.…”

“…(#27, Paklay) Six respondents even sold and bought several animals, changing radically the status of the elephant from a full member of the family to a production investment. Thereupon, elephants were priced on a market basis depending on variations in supply and demand (Maurer et al, 2017).…”

“…The long gestation of females and the long period before calves are weaned are not compatible with an intensive workload. Therefore, owners of female elephants have to make an economic choice between selling their calf after weaning or earning an alternative income from logging during the 3-year gestation and weaning period (Maurer et al, 2017). During the last two decades, most owners have preferred the incomes generated by their elephant work, resulting in a drastic decrease in the village elephant population.…”

“…These links persist to date, particularly through the reproduction of captive females with wild males (Maurer et al, 2017). The plummeting number of Asian elephants is of global concern.…”