Abstract
Human–elephant conflict (HEC) is a severe and much-debated issue in Sri Lanka. An average of two hundred animals are intentionally killed, and seventy to eighty human casualties are counted each year. The Sri Lankan elephant (Elephas maximus maximus) is an endangered subspecies. The reported elephant mortality rates are high. On the other hand, human–elephant conflict also leads to hardship and trauma among rural populations. This research paper reviews causal explanations for HEC in Sri Lanka, tracing underlying narratives and connecting broader conservation theory and practical approaches. The paper discusses potential causes and contexts of HEC in Sri Lanka, including historical factors (i.e., colonial hunting and land-use changes), poaching, habitat loss due to population growth, crop-raiding behaviour, problem animals, and changes in agricultural production systems. The review concludes that socio-economic and cultural factors in HEC in Sri Lanka are poorly explained, and more research should focus on the underlying conditions of rural populations’ vulnerability.
Highlights
IntroductionThe first elephant census in Sri Lanka, conducted by volunteers under the aegis of the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) in 2011, led to a count of 5879 elephants in the wild [4]
This paper aims to review potential explanations to Human–elephant conflict (HEC) in Sri Lanka, trace underlying narratives, and connect different types of conservation intervention and mitigation strategies
This review detects a gap in the literature on HEC in Sri Lanka
Summary
The first elephant census in Sri Lanka, conducted by volunteers under the aegis of the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) in 2011, led to a count of 5879 elephants in the wild [4]. (In September 2019, the DWC conducted its second islandwide elephant census, but results have not yet been published). The elephant, as a cultural symbol, is nearly omnipresent in Sri Lanka. Depictions of elephants can be found on anything from t-shirts to teacups. It is the electoral symbol of Sri Lanka’s oldest party, the United National Party. Throughout South Asia, the elephant is a sacred animal and an ancient symbol of royalty since
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