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The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
No food, please: Expert calls for bans on tourists feeding Asian elephants
Tourists should not feed elephants, as this can trigger 'begging behaviour'. — Pexels The habitat of Asian elephants is shrinking. As a result, encounters between humans and the large mammals are becoming increasingly common in many parts of Asia. Tourists, in particular, are attempting to approach and feed the animals – a major mistake, according to a study by the University of California in San Diego. The problem is that this human behaviour triggers a form of 'begging behaviour' in elephants. They also become bolder and more audacious toward humans, sometimes with fatal consequences. The study, which is based on data from Sri Lanka and India, was published in the journal Ecological Solutions And Evidence . 'Many people, especially foreign tourists, think Asian elephants are tame and docile, like domestic pets,' explained lead author Shermin de Silva. 'They don't realise these are formidable wild animals and try to get too close in order to take photographs or selfies, which can end badly for both parties,' she said. De Silva has spent 18 years studying interactions between elephants and tourists in Udawalawe National Park in Sri Lanka. She observed not only the development of begging behaviour but also that the animals were increasingly becoming accustomed to sugary foods. In some cases, they even broke through fences to continue being fed. Not only were humans killed in these incidents, but at least three elephants also lost their lives. A young bull elephant was hit by a bus after breaking through a fence and crossing the road, the study reports. The study also found life-threatening plastic in elephant dung and reports that people give them fruits like mangoes still wrapped in plastic bags. Other dangers include the potential transmission of diseases from humans to animals and the loss of the elephants' ability to forage independently, the experts warn. An estimated 800 to 1,200 wild elephants live in the national park. At least 66 male elephants were observed begging for food. Some, like the bull named Rambo, even became minor celebrities because they regularly begged tourists for treats. In the Sigur Highlands of southern India, feeding also caused problems, according to the study. There, 11 elephants were regularly fed fruits and sugarcane by tour operators and nearby resorts to attract tourists. Four of these animals have since died as a direct result of interactions with humans. The authors called on authorities to strictly enforce feeding bans and promote responsible tourism. According to WWF, there were an estimated 41,000 to 52,000 wild Asian elephants in 13 countries in 2018, most of them in Sri Lanka and India. However, their numbers are declining. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) as 'endangered.' – dpa
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The hidden dangers of feeding wild animals
Feeding wild elephants might seem kind or exciting, but a new study warns it can lead to serious harm. Researchers at the University of California San Diego say that giving food to wild animals -- especially elephants -- can change their behavior in dangerous ways. "Many people, especially foreign tourists, think Asian elephants are tame and docile, like domestic pets," lead author Shermin de Silva, a conservation scientist and professor of biological sciences, said in a UCSD news release. "They don't realize these are formidable wild animals and try to get too close in order to take photographs or selfies, which can end badly for both parties," she added. The study, published in the journal Ecological Solutions and Evidence, looked at 18 years of data from elephant tourism areas in Sri Lanka and India. In Sri Lanka's Udawalawe National Park, researchers found that dozens of elephants had learned to "beg" for food near fences and tourist vehicles. One male elephant, nicknamed Rambo, became a local celebrity for this behavior. The impact? Tragic. Several people were killed or injured in elephant encounters, the news release said. At least three elephants were killed, and some animals ate plastic bags or other waste while trying to get food. In India's Sigur region, researchers tracked 11 male elephants who were fed by people. Four of animals later died, likely because of humans. "Food-conditioned animals can become dangerous, resulting in the injury and death of wildlife, people or both," the researchers wrote. "These negative impacts counteract potential benefits," they added. Feeding wild elephants may cause them to lose their natural foraging skills, especially if they start relying on sugary snacks or processed food, researchers said. It may also raise the risk of disease spreading between people and animals. While most tourists mean well, experts say the best thing to do is never feed wild animals, no matter how safe it seems. Feeding animals might feel like helping a friend, the researchers explained. "But this encourages wild animals to seek food from people, attracting them to areas that can put themselves or people at risk," de Silva said. "It can be a conduit for disease transfer between species," she said. "Such feeding can also cause animals to lose their ability to forage for themselves if the behavior becomes prevalent, especially with young animals." More information The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has more on the potential harm in feeding wildlife. Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
