During winter, elephants do not go into prolonged sleep or hibernation like bears. They remain active, continue feeding, travelling and socialising. However, their behaviour and activity patterns can change according to temperature and food availability. → Their energy requirements continue in winter Elephants need sufficient energy to maintain their large bodies and regulate body temperature. Therefore, they continue moving in search of food and water even during colder months. → Sunlight can be important ☀️ During cold weather, elephants may use sunny areas to help keep themselves warm. Cold can be particularly challenging for older, weak or vulnerable elephants. → Wild elephants use different strategies In the wild, elephants can modify their movement patterns according to weather conditions and food availability. They may move towards relatively warmer areas or habitats where sufficient food is available. 🧣 Rescued Elephants Need Additional Winter Care → Winter care for rescued elephants in Mathura In January 2026, Wildlife SOS’s Elephant Conservation & Care Centre in Mathura implemented special winter-care measures for its rescued elephants. The centre houses more than 30 rescued elephants. → Enclosures protected from cold winds Tarpaulin sheets and heating/halogen lamps were used to protect the elephants from cold winds and reduce heat loss. → Blankets for elderly elephants Geriatric elephants were provided with insulating blankets because older elephants can be more vulnerable to cold and problems such as joint stiffness. → Oil massages Rescued elephants receive oil massages to support circulation and help reduce stiffness. Wildlife SOS’s winter-care guidance also mentions warming sesame-based oil massages. → Warm nutritional support According to the 2026 Mathura report, ingredients such as cloves, turmeric, ginger, garlic, black salt, ajwain and hing were incorporated into the elephants’ diet along with jaggery and ghee. → Exercise does not stop Even during winter, rescued elephants continue walking and exercising according to their individual health and physical condition. 🏔️ One of the Most Interesting 2026 Findings — Elephants at High Altitude → Elephants recorded at 3,266 metres in Arunachal Pradesh A 2026 assessment recorded elephant tracks and a camera-trap image of a juvenile elephant at 3,266 metres in Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary. This represents an unusually high recorded elevation for Asian elephants. → Why is this significant? Temperatures can become very low at such elevations, particularly during winter. Researchers therefore want to understand whether elephants are visiting these high-altitude areas seasonally or whether their high-altitude range is expanding. → What were they eating? Camera-trap observations indicated that elephants were feeding mainly on bamboo. Salt-lick sites may also influence their movements. 🌾 Winter and Human-Elephant Conflict → Conflict can increase during certain seasons According to the Arunachal Pradesh action plan, monsoon and winter are among the periods when human-elephant conflict can occur frequently, as elephants may move closer to agricultural areas in search of food. → Why does this happen? 🌳 Habitat fragmentation → 🌾 Agriculture around forest areas → 🏘️ Expanding settlements → 🛣️ Roads and infrastructure → ⚡ Electricity and other human-made barriers → 🐘 Disruption of elephant corridors These factors increase the overlap between elephant habitats and human settlements. → Arunachal Pradesh recorded 1,503 human-elephant conflict incidents between 2007 and 2024 es including AI-based alerts and Plan Bee to reduce elephant-train collisions. → 255 potential collisions prevented