Ecology of the forest elephant in Tai National Park, Ivory Coast

Abstract

Also published in Swara vol 7 no 5, 1984. Research on the ecology of the forest elephant is of recent development due to its habitat, the tropical rain forest. Methods used in Tai National Park were based on indirect observation. The forest elephant is well adapted to its environment. The forests provide enough food and water all year round, so the elephant is not forced to travel great distances to meet those demands. Due to increased timber harvesting and agriculture land use the primary rain forest is declining on a large scale. The article addresses aspects of the adaptibility of forest elephant this new environment.