Chester Zoo's work on elephant conservation in Assam, called 'Assam Haathi' Project, helps to mitigate human-animal conflict. And supports the conservation of one of the last remaining large elephant populations in the area.

The Zoo teamed up with the Assam-based conservation organisation, EcoSystems-India, and developed the Project. It works closely with local people, monitoring elephant movements and gaining a better understanding of their habits and needs in order to design practical solutions for the crop-raiding problem.

The project aims to facilitate the sustainable co-existence of elephants and people in Assam, and hopes to achieve this through an integrated approach using community- based work and geographical and behavioural research.

"Keeping an elephant out of one's backyard involves a combination of barriers, deterrents and early-warning systems.

The type of mitigation method used depends on the circumstances at each site," the project's paper stated.

The project is using the low-cost non-lethal control techniques such as tripwire alarms as an early warning device and chilli smoke as a deterrent to control elephants.

The zoo is also working on the practicalities of erecting temporary electric fencing for selective protection of homesteads during high-risk periods.

The project uses Geographical Information System (GIS) computer software to track the movement of elephant herds and develop a sound knowledge of their behavioural patterns.

By helping communities tackle their elephant crop raiding problems and safeguard their livelihoods, the project aims to increase tolerance and reduce the persecution of elephants.

The data gathered may also help other conservation organisations and authorities implement long-term strategies and policies for elephants and other wildlife in Assam.

Over 600 people have been reportedly killed by the wild elephants in the past 16 years in the state.