Human-wildlife conflict

Human-elephant conflict (HEC) continues to be a threat to the conservation of the last remaining population of forest elephants across the WWZ landscape, estimated to be over 50 with new calves born in 2022.

Land conversion for agricultural purposes boosts HEC, as crop raiding events increase around forest blocks. Animals often destroy crop fields close to grazing sites and migratory routes, leading to reprisal by farmers, who trap or gun down the animals.