GPS collars map elephant movements in Assam, reducing conflict
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In Assam, India, researchers with the Assam Forest Department and WWF-India tracked five elephants, four females and one male, to understand their movements and reduce dangerous encounters between animals and people.
Between April 2021 and June 2026, they recorded over 38,000 GPS locations from elephants in Sonitpur, Udalguri, and Biswanath districts. The data revealed that elephants travel predictably between Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary and nearby farmland, especially during the October to December harvest season.
Researchers discovered the elephants’ journeys extended beyond forest boundaries, through tea plantations, along river channels, and even into Bhutan’s Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary. This highlighted the need for cross-border cooperation to protect elephant corridors. The study confirmed that between 2000 and 2023, 1,468 people died in Assam due to elephant encounters, and 626 elephants died from human-related causes. The GPS data will help forest officials identify high-risk areas and implement preventative measures like improved lighting and fencing around settlements.
Preliminary results showed that blocking movement along one boundary of Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary in 2025 to 26 prevented elephants from entering a nearby area, though further study is needed to confirm the long-term effects. Understanding these patterns allows authorities to better prepare communities and create safer passages for the animals.
