A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Differences in age-specific mortality between wild-caught and captive-born Asian elephants
Authors: Mirkka Lahdenperä, Khyne U. Mar, Alexandre Courtiol, Virpi Lummaa
Publisher: NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
Publication year: 2018
Journal: Nature Communications
Journal name in source: NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
Journal acronym: NAT COMMUN
Article number: ARTN 3023
Volume: 9
First page : 1
Last page: 10
Number of pages: 10
ISSN: 2041-1723
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-05515-8(external)
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/35447516(external)
Wild-capture of numerous species is common for diverse purposes, including medical experiments, conservation, veterinary interventions and research, but little objective data exists on its consequences. We use exceptional demographic records on Asian elephants from timber camps in Myanmar to investigate the long-term consequences of wild-capture during 1951-2000 on their mortality (N = 5150). We show that captured elephants have increased mortality compared to captive-born elephants, regardless of their capture method. These detrimental effects of capture are similar for both sexes but differ substantially according to age. Elephants captured and tamed at older ages show a higher increase in mortality after capture than elephants captured and tamed young. Moreover, the increased mortality risk following capture and taming is still perceived several years after capture. Our results are timely given the continued capture of elephants and other wild animals to supplement captive populations despite the alarming declines of wild populations globally.
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