AECP
The Asian Elephant Conservation Programme
Flagship Programme
The Asian Elephant Conservation Programme (AECP) is A Rocha India’s flagship program and longest running ecological study on the Asian elephants of the Bannerghatta-Hosur Landscape. The AECP is aimed at finding a solution that will benefit both local people and elephants. We have pioneered scientific research for elephant conservation which is specific to the BHL.
Community based conservation efforts
AECP focuses on conserving Asian elephants while recognising their shared habitat with local communities. Education, outreach and sustainable practices minimize negative interactions between people and elephants, while economic incentives offer alternative livelihoods, fostering stewardship and protecting vital elephant habitats.
Captive elephant systems
AECP conducts research on captive elephants, delving into their behaviour, ecology, and welfare standards, aiming to enhance management practices. The studies help us understand these majestic creatures better and contribute to their conservation, while helping develop practical guidelines for the management of both captive and their wild conspecifics.
Innovations in human-elephant conflict mitigation
AECP’s technological and innovative interventions in human-elephant conflict (HEC) management have served as early warning systems for elephant presence, enhancing deterrent mechanisms and reducing retaliatory persecutions. The program has mapped conflict patterns & determinants for over two decades, helping to propose creative coexistence solutions.
Fostering partnerships
AECP is a collaborative effort of the conservation community, envisioned by researchers, organizations and visionaries who recognise the power of alliances to create an impact for elephant conservation. Building on the common ground of passion and commitment towards conservation, AECP collaborates with prominent Asian elephant range partners, conservation agencies as well as state forest departments to achieve its mandate.
