Human Dimensions of Elephant Ecology

Larsen, Thor; Mojaphoko, Rapelang; Sarker, A. H. M. Raihan; Jackson, Craig R.

doi:10.1002/9781118858615.ch16

Cited by 7 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…Sitati et al, (2003) examined human-elephant conflicts (HEC) in the Mara and noted that crop raiding by elephants could be predicted from the area of cultivated land. Habitat fragmentation due to cultivation and increasing human settlements have also been identified as major drivers of HECs in the Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies (Kaelo, 2007;Røskaft et al, 2014). Besides, these studies are based on a single region or ecosystem, and none of them have attempted to understand the patterns of HWC between two important wildlife areas in Kenya.…”

Section: Human-wildlife Conflicts In Kenyamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance, in Kenya, human-elephant conflicts (HEC) are attributed to increasing human population and changes in land use (Hoare, 1999;Thouless, 1994), that has increased the interphase between people and wildlife. Human-dominated areas are more likely to be settled by people who practice agriculture, a major pull factor for elephants as a source of alternative succulent and nutritious forage (Røskaft et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Characteristics of Human-Wildlife Conflicts in Kenya: Examples of Tsavo and Maasai Mara Regions

Mukeka¹,

Ogutu²,

Kanga³

2018

ENRR

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Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) is a widespread and persistent challenge to conservation. However, relatively few studies have thus far examined long-term monitoring data to quantify how the type, and severity of HWC varies across species, seasons, years and ecosystems. Here, we examine human-wildlife conflicts in Tsavo and Maasai Mara, two premier wildlife conservation areas in Kenya. Using Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) data (2001-2016), we show that both the type and severity of conflicts vary among species such that the African elephant (Loxodonta africana), is the leading conflict species in both the Tsavo (64.3%, n= 30664) and Mara (47.0%, n=12487) ecosystems. The next four most notorious conflict animals, in decreasing order, are nonhuman primates (Tsavo 11.4%, n=3502; Mara 11.8%, n=1473), African buffalo (Syncerus caffer, Tsavo 5.5%, n=1676; Mara 11.3%, n=1410), lion (Panthera leo,Tsavo 3.6%, n=1107; Mara 3.3%, n=416) and spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta, Tsavo 2.4%, n=744; Mara 5.8%, n=729). We group the observed conflict incidences (n= 43,151) into four major conflict types, including crop raiding, the most common conflict type, followed by human and livestock attacks and property damage. The severity of conflicts also varies markedly seasonally and inter-annually. Crop raiding peaks in May-July, during and at the end of the wet season when crops are maturing but is lowest in November during the late dry season and beginning of the early rains. Attacks on humans and livestock increased more than other conflict types in both Tsavo (from 2001) and Mara (from 2013). Relatively fewer people in Mara (7.2%, n=901) than in Tsavo (38.2%, n = 11714) felt threatened by wildlife, suggesting that the Maasai people are more tolerant of wildlife. Minimizing HWC is tightly linked to successfully resolving the broader conservation challenges, including enhancing ecosystem connectivity, community engagement and conservation benefits to communities.

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Section: Human-wildlife Conflicts In Kenyamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics of Human-Wildlife Conflicts in Kenya: Examples of Tsavo and Maasai Mara Regions

Mukeka¹,

Ogutu²,

Kanga³

2018

ENRR

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“…These reserves are unfenced, facilitating elephant movements into the surrounding areas (Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, 2011). Crop farmers need access to fertile land and water, but the elephants also use the same areas as corridors for movement, leading to conflicts (Sitienei et al, 2014; Von Gerhardt et al, 2014; Røskaft et al, 2015). Elephants receive conservation attention from various institutions, including wildlife authorities, non-governmental organizations, international organizations and inter-governmental organizations (Røskaft et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Crop farmers need access to fertile land and water, but the elephants also use the same areas as corridors for movement, leading to conflicts (Sitienei et al, 2014; Von Gerhardt et al, 2014; Røskaft et al, 2015). Elephants receive conservation attention from various institutions, including wildlife authorities, non-governmental organizations, international organizations and inter-governmental organizations (Røskaft et al, 2015). The species is imbued with a high existence value by people in the developed world, who find elephants alluring because of their power, beauty, size and connection to wild nature (Dickman, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The economic cost can be substantial for people who invest in crop farming, guarding and elephant control systems. The time required for farm protection limits the amount of time available for activities such as attending school, and families who are affected severely by crop damage are unable to pay expenses such as school fees (Alcamo et al, 2003; Khumalo & Yung, 2015; Røskaft et al, 2015). Additionally, people feel unsafe during daily activities such as walking to and from school, collecting firewood and accessing shops (Dickman & Hazzah, 2016; Mayberry et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Human–elephant interactions in areas surrounding the Rungwa, Kizigo, and Muhesi Game Reserves, central Tanzania

Hariohay

Munuo

2019

Oryx

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This study assesses the patterns of crop damage by elephants Loxodonta africana in areas adjacent to the Rungwa, Kizigo and Muhesi Game Reserves in Tanzania. We used a questionnaire survey to collect data from a total of 210 household heads from seven villages, with 30 household heads in each village, during June–August 2015. Proximity was a significant factor influencing losses, with crop farms within < 1 km from the reserves having higher losses, followed by those 1–5 km and > 5 km distant. Most households (81.0%) < 1 km from a reserve reported crop damage whereas those within 1–5 km (65.9%) and > 5 km (20.0%) reported less damage. Most of the losses (79.8%) occurred in the first half of the year (the wet season). Immigrants reported higher average losses to crops than Indigenous respondents. Noise making, flashlights, setting fire around fields and disturbance by shooting were the methods used to deter elephants from entering crop fields. We recommend that communities around these game reserves avoid areas that are < 1 km from the reserve boundary, plant crops such as chilli, use honeybee Apis mellifera fences to deter elephants from their crops, and receive education on available mitigation methods, to help minimize crop losses to elephants.

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Impact of human-elephant conflict on the communities’ livelihood: a study in Southern Bhutan

Dorji,

Chhetri,

Dorji

2024

GeoJournal

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Human Dimensions of Elephant Ecology

Cited by 7 publications

References 64 publications

Characteristics of Human-Wildlife Conflicts in Kenya: Examples of Tsavo and Maasai Mara Regions

Characteristics of Human-Wildlife Conflicts in Kenya: Examples of Tsavo and Maasai Mara Regions

Human–elephant interactions in areas surrounding the Rungwa, Kizigo, and Muhesi Game Reserves, central Tanzania

Impact of human-elephant conflict on the communities’ livelihood: a study in Southern Bhutan

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