Elephant conservation news 21 November - 27 November 2009
A Mumbai engineer has invented a remote-control tether device which aims to stop wayward elephants in their tracks.
The 'Violent Elephant Control Gear' comprises a 16lb box which is fitted onto a rear leg of the animal, the Telegraph says, similar to a car's anti-theft device. At the push of a remote-control button, the box shoots out a steel cord to tether the legs together, leaving the elephant unable to move.
After a series of successful trials in Kerala, Zachariah Matthew now plans to sell his invention, which costs 30,000 rupees (around £400), to other forestry departments in India.
He said that he had been inspired to develop the product after learning of the scale of conflict between humans and elephants in some jungle areas of India.
This continues to be a problem where the expanding population of the country encroaches upon elephants' natural habitats, leading to the animals entering agricultural land, markets, or even homes 'owned' by humans.
"I heard many people died due to elephant rampage," Matthew said.
"The advantage of this device is that if an elephant becomes violent, then it can be controlled with the remote from a distance of about 25 meters and there is no risk involved."
However, the invention has prompted concern from animal charity the Born Free Foundation.
CEO Will Travers told elepant.co.uk news that he saw some limitations to the system.
"While we welcome humane solutions to conflict between humans and wild elephants, this device is unlikely to be employed except on captive elephants, not least because it needs to be worn by the elephant at all times," he said.
"Further restricting captive elephants using such devices may improve human safety, but it does nothing to address the real issue: elephants by their very nature do not belong in captivity and do not respond well to the compromises imposed on them by the captive environment.
"In addition, the device is, apparently, only suitable for animals up to 2,000kg which will preclude its use on adult males and females."
