Email: Institution:Department of Zoology, University of Colombo
P.N.DAYAWANSA
Email: Institution:Department of Zoology, University of Colombo
U.K.G.K.PADMALAL
Email: Institution:Department of Zoology, The Open University of Sri Lanka
W.D. RATNASOORIYA
Email: Institution:Department of Zoology, University of Colombo
J.A.WEERASIGHE
Email: Institution:Department of Wildlife Conservation, Colombo 7
Abstract
Social relationships of juvenile elephants (3-6 years old) in the Udawalawa National Park
were studied. Focal animal sampling was employed to quantify behaviour of 450 individuals.
Nearest neighbour (NN) and nearest neighbour distance (NND) were recorded to analyse social
relationships. Adult females and juveniles were the NN of the study group during 50.67% and
37.55% of the total observed time respectively. The mean NND was 1.62m (SD±2.8) while it was
less than 5m in 98% of the time. 33% of the time the study group was touching (NND<1m) the NN.
There was a significant difference between NND categories (p<0.05). Being the NN, 80% of the
infants stayed at a touching distance and was cared or allo-mothered by the juveniles under
discussion. Time allocated for different behaviour pattern by the study group varied with the NN.
When the study animals were accompanied by age-mates, they spent 17% of time for social playing
and another 3% for non-play social contacts. It was only 1% for each behaviour pattern when the
adult females were in close proximity. Maximum social contacts were observed between study
animals and infants. The findings suggest that juvenile elephants more frequently associate adult
females and near–age mates while they show social relationships in a varying degree with different
associates. High play and social contacts of juveniles provide a great opportunity to develop skills
and social confidence well needed for the survival in future.
Keywords: Social Relationships, Juvenile Elephants, Udawalawa National Park, Sri Lanka
How to Cite: JAYANTHA,D,DAYAWANSA,P.N,PADMALAL,U.K.G.K, RATNASOORIYA,W.D,WEERASIGHE,J.A, (2006). SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS OF WILD JUVENILE ASIAN ELEPHANTS (Elephas maximus) IN THE UDAWALAWA NATIONAL PARK, SRI LANKA.WILDLANKA, 1(1):Pages 059-066
