Pattern and distribution of human-elephant conflicts in three conflict-prone landscapes in Myanmar

Zaw Min Thant,Roel May,Eivin Røskaft

doi:10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01411

Abstract

Human-elephant conflicts (HEC) are detrimental for both humans and elephants. A better understanding of HEC enhances effective mitigation strategies and promotes the well-being of humans and wild elephants. This study assesses the pattern and distribution of HEC in three different HEC hotspots in Myanmar and identifies local factors that contribute to HEC. A face-to-face questionnaire survey was performed in three HEC landscapes in 30 villages. Our study showed that larger croplands were more vulnerable to crop attacks. Crop damage was found more frequent and was more severe in the more deforested landscapes. The landscapes with higher human density and where local people frequently encountered elephants, were at higher risk to elephant attack. Our results indicate that distance to the forest reserves influenced the incidents of HEC most. We suggest the implementation of land-use plans in the potential elephant migration areas to mitigate HEC and improve the local resilience to economic vulnerability due to HEC.

Highlights

Human-elephant conflicts (HEC) are regarded one of the most crucial threats in the conservation of wild elephants (Choudhury et al, 2008; Dublin et al, 2006; Heffernan, 2005; Røskaft et al, 2014; Sukumar, 2003)
Many studies have revealed that crop damage is the major source of conflict between people and wild elephants (Chatterjee, 2016; Parker et al, 2007; Sarker and Røskaft, 2010)
Our study shows that crop damage was the most significant form of HEC in the study area followed by property damage and human injury and death

Summary

Introduction

Human-elephant conflicts (HEC) are regarded one of the most crucial threats in the conservation of wild elephants (Choudhury et al, 2008; Dublin et al, 2006; Heffernan, 2005; Røskaft et al, 2014; Sukumar, 2003). Depredation of crops by wild elephants is common in elephant range countries in Asia and Africa (Sukumar, 2003) and is the most cited conflict between humans and elephants (Chatterjee, 2016; Parker et al, 2007; Røskaft et al, 2014; Sarker and Røskaft, 2010; Sitati et al, 2003). The croplands at the edge of forest reserves or protected areas will be prone to increased intensity of crop damage (Chatterjee, 2016; Chiyo et al, 2005; Pittiglio et al, 2014; Røskaft et al, 2014; Sarker & Røskaft, 2010, 2011; Sukumar, 2003). Most human deaths occur in forests, followed by villages and croplands (Sarker et al, 2015; Sukumar, 2003)

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