Human-elephant conflict
Human-elephant conflict (HEC) refers to the problem that arises when elephants and humans live in close proximity and their interests clash. It is particularly prevalent in countries such as India, Sri Lanka, and parts of Africa.
The conflict arises primarily due to competition for resources such as food and water, and also due to the destruction of habitat caused by human activities.
One of the main drivers of human-elephant conflict is the encroachment of human settlements into elephant habitats. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as population growth or the expansion of agricultural land. As humans move into elephant territory, they bring with them tempting food sources, such as crops and fruits, that can attract elephants.
Another contributing factor to human-elephant conflict is the loss of natural habitat due to deforestation and development. As elephants lose their natural habitats, they are forced to seek out alternative food sources and water sources, often bringing them into closer proximity to humans.
Current conflict management approaches focus on prevention through exclusion and on-site deterrents, but they fail to address the underlying drivers of conflict related to cultural values, resource use decisions, and habitat fragmentation.[1]
The slaughter of the Addo elephant herd
The Xhosa Kingdom in the Eastern Cape of South Africa was colonized by European farmers who had to manage alongside the largest surviving population of elephants in South Africa. Conflict over water supplies developed between the farmers and the herd of 130 elephants, leading to the South African government employing Major Philip Jacobus Pretorius to cull the Addo herd by roughly 114 animals. Only 16 elephants were saved from slaughter. The fate of the Addo elephants was linked to the development of agriculture in the region.[2]