Field Programmes

Asian Elephant Conservation Programme

Chester Zoo, in partnership with EcoSystems-India, initiated the Assam Haathi Project (AHP) in 2004.

This project works closely with local villages in human-elephant conflict (HEC) areas in Assam, India. HEC is a growing problem throughout Asia as elephant forest habitat continues to shrink and landscapes become dominated by people and agriculture. The result of this is damage to farmers' crops and buildings, human deaths and sometimes the retaliatory killing of elephants. The AHP is helping villagers develop techniques to reduce HEC and is researching long-term strategies for elephant conservation in these areas.

A video made by The Assam Haathi Project shows how to make a chilli rope fence, which acts as an elephant deterrent (watch video). 

In 2009, a new project began in Sumatra, Indonesia, partnering the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).  This project will work closely with the AHP to transfer skills and knowledge between the projects.

Read more about our Asian Elephant conservation or  visit the Assam Haathi Project website 

 

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