Browsing by Author "Godagama, W.K."

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    The body condition of Sri Lankan domesticaded elephants (Elephas maximus maximus)
    (University of Peradeniya. Peradeniya, 1998) Godagama, W.K.; Wemmer, C.; Ratnasooriya, W.D.
    The body condition of domesticated Sri Lankan elephants has not been scientifically evaluated although many believe that it is poor. The objective of this study was to evalute the body condition of domesticated elephants in Sri Lanka using an index developed by Wemmer and Krishnamurthy (1992). This method of assessing relies on visual assessment and numerical scoring of six criteria (temporal depression, scapula, thoracic region, flank area, lumbar vertibrae and pelvic bone) resulting in a scale of 0-11. The study was conducted between 1st April 1993 and 1st April 1994 in 13 administrative districts using 140 domesticated elephants. The results show that the mean body condition index of the present day domesticated elephants is 6.95+/- 0.26 points (mean +/- SEM). MAles had significantly lower body condition index (6.63+/-0.22 points) than that of females (7.3+/-0.21points) and there was no significant (r=0.398, p=1, n=140) correlation between the age and the body condition index of elephants. Further, the body condition index was not significantly different between the elephants which were owned by private individuals or temples and dewales (p=0.71) and maintained by the mahouts or the owners(p=0.21)
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    Prevalence and distribution of body injuries of domesticated Sri Lankan elephants(Elephas maximus maximus)
    (University of Peradeniya. Peradeniya, 1999) Godagama, W.K.; Wemmer, C.; Rathnasooriya, W.D.
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    Prevalence of eye defects in domesticated Sri Lankan elephants(Elephas maximus maximus)
    (University of Peradeniya. Peradeniya, 1999) Godagama, W.K.; Wemmer, C.; Ratnasooriya, W.D.
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    Spinal conformation of domesticated Sri Lankan elephants(Elephas maximus maximus)
    (University of Peradeniya. Peradeniya, 1998) Godagama, W.K.; Wemmer, C.; Ratnasooriya, W.D.
    The aim of this study was to investigate scientifically whether the five spinal conformations (Types 1 to 5) described for the Burmese elephant (Elephas maximus birmanicus) are also present in the Sri Lankan elephant (Elephas maximus). This was done using 140 domesticated elephants and the GAle's five-description system. The results showed thst the five spinal conformation types described for Burmese elephant are also present in the Sri Lankan elephant. Out of the 140 elephants, 23(16perc.) had type 1, 48 conformation. The five types p=0.001, d.f.=4). Further there was a significant difference (fisher's Exact test; p=0.001, d.f.=4) between the number of male elephantas and female elephants falling into the five different types of spinal conformation