Elephants in Bhutan are not only a symbol of strength and wisdom, but also revered as integral part of the country’s biodiversity. However, with rising human-wildlife conflict, particularly in the southern plains, the relationship between humans and these giants is increasingly fraught with tension. As the country continues to develop, elephant habitats are shrinking, causing more frequent and often dangerous interactions between people and wildlife.
As of 2018, the estimated population of elephants in Bhutan stood at 678, according to the National Elephant Survey conducted by the Nature Conservation Division (NCD), Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS).
Officials from Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources say, “This population is largely concentrated in southern Bhutan, inhabiting the country’s tropical and subtropical forests. These areas include a rich mosaic of dry and wet forests, grasslands, and river systems. Elephants prefer these habitats due to the abundance of their preferred food sources, and their movements are greatly influenced by seasonal variations and foraging needs.”
However, Bhutan’s rapid development poses challenges to the conservation of these habitats. Economic projects, such as infrastructure development and agricultural expansion, are slowly fragmenting elephant habitats