Examining Human Perception of Elephants and Large Trees for Insights Into Conservation of an African Savanna Ecosystem

ABSTRACT

African elephants (Loxodonta africana) and large trees have ecological and human value, but elephant impact on large trees may influence conservation strategies. We used a self-administered questionnaire to examine perceptions of elephants, large trees, and elephant management endeavors among tourists and residents in the Associated Private Nature Reserves, South Africa to inform management approaches. The questionnaire included photographs of different elephant types and of vegetation with varying degrees of elephant-impact. Respondents reported high attractiveness rankings for all elephant types, but they scored non-impacted trees higher than photos of trees with visible elephant impact. Results also revealed a significant positive correlation between elephant types known to cause high tree impact and attractiveness of non-impacted trees. Residents favored more intrusive elephant management methods, with environmental manipulation representing the most supported and balanced option for both interest groups. Respondents advocated management that focuses on ecosystem functioning more so than elephant population control.

KEYWORDS:

• Africa
• elephant
• human
• management
• questionnaire

Acknowledgments

We thank Craig Spencer, manager of Transfrontier Africa, for assisting with the distribution of tourist surveys. We also thank the assistants of Elephants Alive and Transfrontier Africa, in particular Francois van der Merwe, Stefan Bosman, and Amy Clark, for the collection of surveys distributed to tourists. Elephants Alive kindly distributed all surveys to residents. The participating lodges, Bateleur Eco Safaris, Campfire Safaris, Ezulwini River Lodge, Kings Camp, Naledi Enkoveni, Rock Fig, Tanda Tula Safari Camp, Toro Yaka, Tremesana, and Umlani Bushcamp, deserve much appreciation as well. Dr. Leslie Baylis and Trudy-Ann Crossbourne are thanked in particular for their administrative support and encouragement.

Funding

USFWS provided financial support of numerous aspects of the Elephants Alive Program, part of which contributed to this study. Adam Edge received WKU Institutional Review Board approval (IRB# 12-301) along with funding from the F.U.S.E. Grant (12-SF144), the RCAP (12-8017 to B. Schulte), and from the Honors College at WKU.

Additional information

Funding

USFWS provided financial support of numerous aspects of the Elephants Alive Program, part of which contributed to this study. Adam Edge received WKU Institutional Review Board approval (IRB# 12-301) along with funding from the F.U.S.E. Grant (12-SF144), the RCAP (12-8017 to B. Schulte), and from the Honors College at WKU.