Conservation Issues of Interest

to the BEHEMOTH Fund

Behavior & Ecology of Herbivores: Elephants, Manatees and OTHers

The conservation of species that play a fundamental role in shaping their environment provides an umbrella of protection for their ecosystem and its inhabitants. The growth of the human population and the increasing impact of human consumption on the environment are the primary causes of species loss and habitat degradation today. The BEHEMOTH fund has been created to provide support for research on herbivorous species of special concern because of the direct interactions between these species and humans. This fund facilitates research and subsequent conservation. In addition, the results from these studies are used for educational purposes -- at the primary school and college level as well as for public outreach. Human behavior is more easily changed and adapted than the behavior of most species; hence, education is an essential tool in the conservation of species and habitat.

The Florida manatee does not compete directly with humans for living space; however, both humans and manatees travel the waterways around Florida's coast. Collisions with boats are a major source of injury and mortality for manatees. Furthermore, coastal modification and pollution can impair the ability of manatees to feed and to survive. Our efforts in conjunction with federal, state and private organizations are to understand better the needs of manatees, especially in regards to feeding and breeding. Many manatees held in captivity are undergoing rehabilitation for release back to the wild. Unlike most animals exhibited in zoos and aquariums, manatees often are temporary residents. Our studies examine the behavior and ecology of captive and wild manatees to facilitate the conservation of this gentle mammalian herbivore of the sea -- the only mammals to fill this role.

The closest living relative to the manatees and dugongs (Sirenians) are the Asian and African elephants. Both species are endangered; African elephants tend to receive more coverage by the press, yet Asian elephants are in greater threat of extinction. Only some 30-50,000 Asian elephants survive while over ten times as many African elephants persist in the wild. Again, human population growth and impact are the primary reasons for the perilous status of elephants. Unlike manatees, elephants held in captivity are not generally candidates for release to the wild. However, these elephants are more accessible to people around the world and serve as educational ambassadors for their wild brethren. Furthermore, we often can learn a great deal about elephant behavior and biology in captivity at lower costs and faster rates than by studying wild animals. Captive elephants then can play an important role in the conservation of wild elephants and their environment. Yet even elephants in captivity are declining in number because of low breeding rates. Hence, we are challenged with improving the relationship between humans and elephants in the wild and maintaining a sustainable breeding population in captivity. The efforts of the BEHEMOTH fund are to assist in conservation efforts on these fronts by improving our understanding of elephant behavior, physiology and ecology. Studies with such focus can provide the scientific basis for sound management decisions in trying to reconcile the needs of humans and other species.

Other herbivores are in less dire straits than elephants and manatees, but conflict with humans is still readily evident. At the turn of the 20th century, the North American beaver was nearly absent from the eastern United States. In a few hundred years humans had killed millions of beavers (by the time North America was under steady settlement, the Eurasian beaver had been reduced to very low numbers). Before the rapid growth of humans in North America, beavers were the most influential ecosystem engineers on the continent. Beavers modify waterways, creating wetland habitat and flooding uplands. Beaver habitat is attractive to a variety of wildlife and their presence is a natural component of the North American (and European) landscape. Beavers might have been driven to extinction by human hunting. However, the combination of beaver pelt losing its market value (silk came into vogue) and conscious attempts to replenish beaver, the populations in Europe and North America are growing and exerting their natural influence on the landscape. In some cases, this creates conflict with humans. The flooding of roads and pastures or the cutting of economically valuable trees can result in the label of 'nuisance' or even 'varmint' for beavers. Again, a balance is needed between the ecological benefits of beavers and the damage suffered by humans from beaver activities. Efforts through the BEHEMOTH fund strive to provide a scientific foundation for the decision-making process to maintain ecologically beneficial levels of beaver while minimizing conflict with humans.

Your contributions to the BEHEMOTH fund will permit our research and conservation programs to continue. Thank you for your assistance!

Go the BEHEMOTH Fund Contribution Page

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