Sebaran dan Karakteristik Spasial Konflik Gajah Sumatera (Elephas maximus sumatranus) di Tiga Desa Penyangga Taman Nasional Gunung Leuser, Indonesia

Abstract

The Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) is the largest herbivore on the island of Sumatra. Sumatran elephants are a protected species, as per Regulation of the Minister of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia Number P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018. Human-elephant conflicts occur in several buffer villages around the Gunung Leuser National Park, Langkat Regency, Indonesia. At least eight human-elephant conflicts occurred during 2022 in three villages (Bukit Mas, Mekar Makmur, and Sei Serdang). This study aims to analyze the spatial characteristics of the conflict distribution between Sumatran elephants and humans in three villages around the Gunung Leuser National Park (TNGL). This study was conducted in Bukit Mas, Mekar Makmur, and Sei Serdang villages using field observation methods at the conflict points. The results showed that at least 48 human-elephant conflict points were found at the study location. Human-elephant conflict most commonly occurs in forest land cover types, at elevations of 0-1,100 meters above sea level, and tends to occur in gently sloping areas (8-15%), close to water sources (rivers). This research is useful in providing a baseline database and information for human-elephant conflict mitigation through the distribution of visits or the presence of species in the TNGL buffer zone.