Open AccessAn experimental test of community‐based strategies for mitigating human–wildlife conflict around protected areas
Author(s) -
Branco Paola S.,
Merkle Jerod A.,
Pringle Robert M.,
King Lucy,
Tindall Tosca,
Stalmans Marc,
Long Ryan A.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
conservation letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.153
H-Index - 79
ISSN - 1755-263X
DOI - 10.1111/conl.12679
Subject(s) - wildlife , human–wildlife conflict , beehive , poaching , national park , livelihood , wildlife conservation , geography , habitat , agroforestry , wildlife corridor , environmental resource management , ecology , environmental science , agriculture , biology , archaeology
Natural habitats are rapidly being converted to cultivated croplands, and crop‐raiding by wildlife threatens both wildlife conservation and human livelihoods worldwide. We combined movement data from GPS‐collared elephants with camera‐trap data and local reporting systems in a before–after‐control‐impact design to evaluate community‐based strategies for reducing crop raiding outside Mozambique's Gorongosa National Park. All types of experimental fences tested (beehive, chili, beehive and chili combined, and procedural controls) significantly reduced the number of times elephants left the Park to raid crops. However, placing beehive fences at a subset of key crossing locations reduced the odds that elephants would leave the Park by up to 95% relative to unfenced crossings, and was the most effective strategy. Beehive fences also created opportunities for income generation via honey production. Our results provide experimental evidence that working with local communities to modify both animal behavior and human attitudes can mitigate conflict at the human–wildlife interface.