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Elephant Crop Damage: Subsistence Farmers’ Social Vulnerability, Livelihood Sustainability and Elephant Conservation

Author

Listed:
  • Vincent R. Nyirenda

    (Department of Zoology and Aquatic Sciences, The Copperbelt University, Riverside Campus, P.O. Box 21692, Kitwe, Zambia)

  • Bimo A. Nkhata

    (Monash University South Africa, Directorate of Water Research Node, Private Bag X60, Roodepoort 1725, Johannesburg, South Africa)

  • Oscar Tembo

    (Dag Hammarskjöld Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, The Copperbelt University, Riverside Campus, P.O. Box 21692, Kitwe, Zambia)

  • Susan Siamundele

    (Department of National Parks and Wildlife, Private Bag 1, Chilanga 10100, Zambia)

Abstract

African elephants ( Loxodonta africana ) induce considerable crop damage risks, shocks and stresses on subsistence farmers at the wildlife-agriculture interface. In this study, we explored the social dimensions of human-elephant interactions in the wildlife-agrarian landscape. The study aimed at unraveling the associated hazardous conditions and nature of the subsistence farmers’ social vulnerability and practices with respect to elephant crop damage, subsistence farmers’ livelihoods, and elephant conservation. Applying qualitative thematic content analysis, the sustainable livelihood framework (SLF) and additive generalized linear models (GLMs), this study revealed that the status of relational social capital influences human-elephant conflict (HEC) management and subsistence farmers’ responses, regardless of the farmers’ social learning and environmental values about the social-ecological system. The strengthening of multiple local stakeholder participation, institutional governance and access to livelihoods assets are needed for human food security and elephant conservation. Adoption of more effective nuanced crop protection counter-measures against elephants at farm level is urgently needed.

Suggested Citation

  • Vincent R. Nyirenda & Bimo A. Nkhata & Oscar Tembo & Susan Siamundele, 2018. "Elephant Crop Damage: Subsistence Farmers’ Social Vulnerability, Livelihood Sustainability and Elephant Conservation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-19, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:10:p:3572-:d:174019
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xiaolan Wang & Li Peng & Dingde Xu & Xuxi Wang, 2019. "Sensitivity of Rural Households’ Livelihood Strategies to Livelihood Capital in Poor Mountainous Areas: An Empirical Analysis in the Upper Reaches of the Min River, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-16, April.
    2. Zhongcheng Yan & Feng Wei & Xin Deng & Chuan Li & Qiang He & Yanbin Qi, 2022. "Will the Experience of Human–Wildlife Conflict Affect Farmers’ Cultivated Land Use Behaviour? Evidence from China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-21, September.
    3. Eri Kato & Yuki Yano & Yasuo Ohe, 2019. "Investigating Gaps in Perception of Wildlife between Urban and Rural Inhabitants: Empirical Evidence from Japan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(17), pages 1-13, August.
    4. Yuchen Du & Junfeng Chen & Yi Xie, 2023. "The Impacts of the Asian Elephants Damage on Farmer’s Livelihood Strategies in Pu’er and Xishuangbanna in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-14, March.

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