Tracking pachyderms

In an unique attempt, Global Positioning System (GPS) devices have been installed on the collars of two tamed elephants at Dubare elephant camp in Kushalnagar. It is for the first time that GPS has been installed on elephants.

Two elephants that have got the privilege of GPS are Ranjan (4) and Shivagange (11). With the installation of GPS on Saturday, the path on which the elephants walk could be traced through the internet enabled system.

The elephants at Dubare are left to roam around in the forest after bathing them in Cauvery river and providing them with food. These elephants roam around in the forest in search of food and return to the camp in the evening by 4.30 pm.

The elephants that are left to the forest are tied with iron chains with links. These chain links leave mark on the road on which the elephant walks, thus enabling mahouts to find the route on which the elephant has traveled.

However, mahouts find it challenging to trace elephants during heavy rain as the mark created by chain links are usually washed out. It is at this juncture, that the GPS comes to the rescue of mahouts. The radiation emerging out of the GPS will help to find the exact location of the elephant with the help of internet.

Inspired by Prajna

Animal lover and elephant expert Prajna Chowta is the inspiration behind introducing GPS devices in Dubare. Prajna Chowta, who is looking after four elephants in Dubare camp has installed GPS devices on two of her elephants.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Dubare range forest officer Appaswamy said that Prajna had brought the matter of installing GPS devices on two of her elephants in the camp, to the notice of the higher officials. Hence, the department decided to install devices on the elephants, he said.

A GPS-enabled device normally records and stores location data at a pre-determined interval or on interruption by an environmental sensor.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / by Shrikanth Kallammanavara, Madikeri / September 03rd, 2012