GPS Study Tracks Assam Elephants to Reduce Human Conflict

A five-year satellite tracking study in Assam has mapped the movements of wild elephants across forests, tea estates, and farmlands to help authorities reduce conflicts with humans. Between April 2021 and June 2026, the Assam Forest Department and World Wide Fund for Nature-India tracked four female-led herds and one solitary male in the Udalguri, Sonitpur, and Biswanath districts north of the Brahmaputra River.

Findings

The research project generated more than 38,000 GPS locations to show how elephants use different landscapes across seasons. The collared animals relied heavily on the Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary, Behali Wildlife Sanctuary, and Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary for most of the year. Tea plantations served as key movement pathways and secondary habitats that brought the animals close to human settlements. Home ranges of the female-led herds expanded during the paddy cropping season, which is also the peak time for human-elephant clashes.

Reactions

Assam's Forest Minister, Jayanta Mallabaruah, released the report titled 'Tracking the Giants' on Tuesday during the 72nd Wildlife Week. He stated that human-elephant conflicts have caused 1,147 human deaths and 246 elephant deaths in the state since 2016. Vinay Gupta, the state's Chief Wildlife Warden, noted that the report fills a major knowledge gap about elephant ranging patterns where they overlap with human lands. Aritra Kshettry from WWF-India added that the survey helped pinpoint core natural areas and seasonal movement trends.

Context

Assam holds the largest population of Asian elephants in India's northeast region, with an estimated 4,149 individuals recorded in the 2025 Synchronised All India Elephant Census. Rapid loss of natural forest cover forces these large animals to share space with growing human populations, frequently leading to property damage and casualties on both sides.