How does habitat fragmentation affect the long-term survival and behavior of elephants in South Bengal?

Habitat fragmentation in South Bengal has become a significant concern for the long-term survival and behavior of elephants. As forests are broken into smaller patches due to human activities like agriculture, settlements, and infrastructure development, elephants face multiple challenges that affect their well-being and interactions with the environment and humans.

• Restricted Movement and Migration: Fragmented habitats disrupt traditional elephant corridors, making it difficult for them to migrate in search of food, water, and mates. This leads to isolation of herds and limits genetic exchange.
• Increased Human-Elephant Conflict: As elephants move through fragmented landscapes, they often enter agricultural fields and villages, leading to crop raiding and property damage. This results in frequent conflicts with local communities.
• Higher Stress Levels: Studies indicate that elephants living in fragmented habitats exhibit elevated stress hormones. Constant exposure to human presence, noise, and lack of food resources contribute to chronic stress, affecting their health and reproductive success.
• Changes in Social Structure and Behavior: Fragmentation can split family groups and disrupt social bonds. Elephants may alter their movement patterns, feeding habits, and even become more aggressive or nocturnal to avoid human encounters.
• Reduced Access to Resources: Smaller, isolated forest patches may not provide enough food and water, especially during dry seasons. This scarcity can lead to malnutrition and lower survival rates, particularly for calves and older elephants.
• Genetic Isolation: Limited movement between herds increases the risk of inbreeding, reducing genetic diversity and making the population more vulnerable to diseases and environmental changes.