The Asian Elephant : Ecology and Management (Cambridge Studies in Applied Ecology and Resource Management)

Rating:
Summary: essential elephant book
Review: This book complements Dr.Sukumar's other book, 'elephant days and nights'. Whereas that book is light reading and blends anecdotal information about elephants and the fun of doing research with megavertebrates, 'The asian elephant' is for the more advanced reader with specialist information about the ecological aspects of asian Elephant.

The complete ecology and biogeography of the asian elephant has hitherto been meagre and uninformative, being limited to few paragraphs in game books and wildlife journals. This book, for the most part focuses on the ecology of Asian elephants in India, though some references are made to other populations. It provides an excellent historical perspective of the status of elephants as semi-domesticated animals, in hindu mythology and its use in medieval kingdoms. Dr. Sukumars work is probably seminal in bringing out a whole suite of relevant ecological information about asian elephants and giving it a firm footing on the conservation map.

Overall good reading and essential for the serious elephant biologist and conservationalist.