AN OVERVIEW OF THE HUMAN–ELEPHANT CONFLICT IN TISSAMAHARAMAYA, HAMBANTOTA DISTRICT, SRI LANKA

Abstract

Human–elephant conflict (HEC) is a major problem to Tissmaharama Divisional Secretariat (TDS) in Hambantota District, Sri Lanka. The current study was designed to identify and describe the patterns of HEC in TDS so that methods could be developed to minimise human and elephant deaths due to HEC. The data were collected through questionnaire surveys and internal data of the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Meteorological Department of Sri Lanka. The results suggest that elephants feed on all cereals, fruits and vegetables available except citrus, pomegranate, sesame and bitter gourd. The majority of conflicts were caused by elephant groups of less than four individuals (94.3%). Elephant raids occurred mainly during the night and especially escalate towards January and September. There were no correlations between rainfall and crop damage. Both human and elephant males were more likely to die from HEC than human and elephant females.