Activity Time Budget of Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus L.) in Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, South India

Abstract

The present study on the activity time budget of Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus Linn.) was carried out in Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala during 1993-94. Feeding accounted for 65.45% of the activity in dry season and 8O.77% in wet season. Drinking was found to vary from 2.73% of the activity in dry season to 1.92% in wet season. There was a significant seasonal difference in time spent on feeding whereas it was found to be non-significant for drinking. Grazing was predominant in both dry (63.89%) and wet (71.43%) seasons, indicating the importance of grasslands for the conservation of the species.