Elephant Repellent Tested In India

Posted by timothy on Saturday December 27, 2003 @01:55PM from the when-shoo-shoo-isn't-enough dept.

Makarand writes "According to this article in the Hindustan Times (India) a joint team of American and Indian scientists is testing an elephant repellent in the southern state of Kerala in India. Perforated steel rollers were placed in the elephant herd's path to disperse the repellent. The repellents are ketones released by bull elephants during the mating season. A large number of elephants are killed by farmers defending their crops and an effective repellent may protect both elephants and crops."

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Male sent? by IANAL(BIAILS) · 2003-12-27 15:06 · Score: 2, Interesting

I can see how this would repel the female elephants, but wouldn't male sent, especially that during mating season, attract the other males? I'd think that they would come looking for a fight and protect 'their' females... and wouldn't large ornary male elephants be the ones you're specifically trying to avoid?