Human–Elephant Conflict Around Bénoué National Park, Cameroon: Influence on Local Attitudes and Implications for Conservation

Abstract

Crop raiding by African elephants threatens human livelihoods and elephants, yet studies of long-term changes in crop raiding and effects on attitudes are lacking. The scope of perceived crop damage in three communities and local attitudes toward elephants and protected areas were surveyed in the Bénoué Wildlife Conservation Area, Cameroon in 2010. Temporal changes in attitudes and perceived crop damage were estimated using previous work. The percent of households reporting elephant crop raiding increased since 1997 (58% vs. 40%). Attitudes toward Bénoué National Park were positive and did not change over time, although more people today were positive toward the hunting concessions. Crop damage by elephants did not significantly influence attitudes toward the species, yet 52% reported no benefit to elephant presence in the area. Immigration likely contributed to increased reported elephant damages, hence, land use planning and the prevention of further encroachment is central to reducing human–elephant conflict.

Keywords:

• attitudes
• Bénoué National Park
• Cameroon
• conservation
• crop raiding
• elephant

Acknowledgments

This project was undertaken in collaboration with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Cameroon Northern Sudanian Savanna Programme (NSSP), which provided logistical support in the field. In particular, we thank WWF staff Rodolphe Boum for guidance and assistance in the field, in addition to Lambert Bene Bene and Souaibou Djamweli. We thank all the residents of Doudja, Mbaou, Gamba, and Na'ari for their hospitality and those who assisted us in carrying out our surveys as well as all who gave up their time to participate in this study. This research was supported by a grant from NSERC to RW and from the FAS, Concordia University to AG.