Identification Manual for Tuskers of Rajaji National Park

Rajaji National Park forms an integral part of the Shivalik Elephant Reserve, which harbours one of the healthiest elephant populations in India. The elephants of Rajaji have always been a subject of intensive research since the mid 1980s. However, for the first time in Asia an attempt has been made through this manual to identify all the bull elephants of the park by collating photographs taken in the park over the past decade. This manual not only provides an insight into the elephant population of Rajaji, but also presents an organised, simple and non intrusive scientific approach to identify tuskers in a Protected Area. It is hoped that this will eventually help in ecological monitoring of the elephant population in protected areas. Keeping in mind the utilization of the manual in the local area, it has been published in bilingual form (both Hindi and English) which will enable the forest department staff and other agencies to effectively use it in their conservation efforts. It is hoped that this manual will be useful to park managers, researchers and conservationists in monitoring and understanding the ranging behaviour of elephants and in assessing the threat to the bull elephants, thus enabling them to take effective protective measures.