HUMAN-ELEPHANT COEXISTENCE IN THE SPOTLIGHT
“Conflict is extremely taxing to both humans and elephants. Shifting interactions from conflict to coexistence ensures our harmonious living with the gentle giant. With a focus on conflict caused by the ‘damage’ of banana crops, my art uses different parts of the banana plant, giving the ‘damaged’ plant value whilst promoting the conservation of Asian elephants - a cultural icon in India.” -Deepika Nandan
WHY IS HUMAN-ELEPHANT COEXISTENCE IMPORTANT?
As the habitat of Asian elephants shrinks, tensions caused by human-elephant conflict - an extremely concerning threat - grows. Conflict between humans and elephants has claimed the lives of not only elephants, but humans as well. WWF estimates that 100-300 humans and 40-50 elephants are killed annually during crop raiding in India.
Conflict causes immense economic and emotional stress to communities that live alongside elephants. Farmers losing their livelihoods overnight is not unheard of. Driven by helplessness and frustration, farmer communities often use poison, firecrackers, flashing lights, or loud sounds to drive elephants away. This can sometimes harm, injure, or even kill elephants. Stress induced by this conflict is detrimental to the long-term survival of Asian elephants.
We need to minimize the damage caused by elephants to local communities, while also building tolerance towards the gentle giants. Understanding the impact of conflict on communities and ideating ways in which coexistence can be promoted is extremely crucial. We need to work collaboratively with local communities to arrive at conflict mitigation pathways.
Shifting human-elephant interactions from conflict to coexistence ensures our harmonious living with these conservation icons.
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES FACING ELEPHANTS?
Asian elephants are listed as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List. This classification means that they face a very high risk of extinction in the wild. The biggest threat to the survival of Asian elephants is habitat loss. According to WWF, only 15% of the historical roaming range of Asian elephants remain.
This ongoing habitat loss is a threat not only to elephants, but to all wildlife and people who directly or indirectly depend on natural habitats. Forests have become fragmented, impeding elephant movement and forcing elephants to travel through human dominated landscapes.
As the need for space for human activities grows, and forests are replaced by farmland, and fragmented by railway tracks, and highways, human-elephant interactions become more frequent. While there are cases of harmonious coexistence, there are many instances of conflict. These negative interactions often lead to the damage of crops and property, and in rare cases, injury or even death to humans. This, in turn, leads to retaliatory actions towards elephants.
what can WE do to help?
STUDY ASIAN ELEPHANTS AND COEXISTENCE
Learn more about Asian elephants and human-elephant interactions by reading articles, studying scientific papers, and watching videos, animations, and webinars about these intelligent creatures.
Follow the work of various conservation organisations and researchers working on Asian elephants and coexistence strategies like corridors, early warning systems, compensation, and finding markets for damaged crops.
celebrate ASIAN Elephants
Introduce your family, friends, and colleagues to Asian elephants and the importance for human-elephant coexistence. Teach children about this massive mammal using fun facts and quizzes.
Support artists and filmmakers who creatively communicate to help conserve Asian elephants.
Create your own art featuring the gentle giants and share them with the world to help raise awareness for elephant conservation.
protect ASIAN Elephants
Communicating and educating people about elephants and conflict goes a long way. Get creative and use your voice to spread awareness and help raise the much-needed funds for artists and scientists working towards human-elephant coexistence.
You can advocate, create and sign petitions, and volunteer with organisations that work with elephants and help rescue exploited elephants.
It is also important to recognize where and how these majestic creatures are exploited and abused. Here are some things you should not do:
- Don't ride on elephants. While elephants are strong and powerful, their backs are fragile. Elephants can face spine problems and injuries from carrying heavy loads.
- Don't visit elephant “shelters”. Many such shelters are money making schemes. To train elephants to interact with people, elephants are often beaten and abused. If you want to visit a shelter, make sure you research them thoroughly to ensure they are an ethical organisation.
- Don't purchase or use ivory or suspected ivory products. Whether second-hand or antique, ivory trade should not be supported.
If you come across a situation or place where elephants are being exploited, please bring it to the notice of the appropriate authorities.