ELEPHANT THREATS AND SOLUTIONS There are four fundamental threats that are causing an increase in human-elephant conflict. Understanding and then avoiding these threats could lead to better coexistence in the future.
1
Habitat loss - Livestock increase and overgrazing Elephants need vast landscapes and food resources in order to survive. Pressure from increasing, often illegal, livestock grazing in elephant rangeland impacts the amount of grazing food available for elephants.
Without grass, elephants will turn to trees to browse for food. Extensive tree foraging will lead to the conversion of important bush habitats to savannah that changes the land for other animal species. Reduced tree cover results in reduced rainfall.
Dogs brought in to herd cattle can also bring diseases and disturbance.
This disruption to their home can cause elephants to move outside protected areas to search for food, putting their lives at risk as they start to overlap with people. Negative human clashes with elephants inside protected areas can cause elephants to be more aggressive towards people.
1.