Elephants and woodland: a reply [letter to the editor]

Abstract

This letter stresses several points relating to elephant-woodland interaction. It lists factors that control the probability that a tree will die or coppice as a result of breakage by elephants. Reasons as to why the effects of coppicing increase the density of available food for elephants are noted. The question of whether elephant behaviour towards trees is adaptive or maladaptive, and the question of culling in relation to elephant-woodland interaction are addressed.