Human–Elephant Conflict in Sri Lanka: A Critical Review of Causal Explanations

Sören Köpke, Sisira S. Withanachchi, Ruwan Pathiranage, Chandana R. Withanachchi, Deepika U. Gamage, Thushantha S. Nissanka, Chinthana C. Warapitiya, Banu M. Nissanka, Nirangani N. Ranasinghe, Chathurika D. Senarathna, Christian Schleyer and Andreas Thiel
Additional contact information
Sören Köpke: Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences, University of Kassel, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany
Sisira S. Withanachchi: Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences, University of Kassel, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany
Ruwan Pathiranage: Eco-Collective Research Association, Colombo 00200, Sri Lanka
Chandana R. Withanachchi: Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihinthale 50300, Sri Lanka
Deepika U. Gamage: Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihinthale 50300, Sri Lanka
Thushantha S. Nissanka: Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihinthale 50300, Sri Lanka
Chinthana C. Warapitiya: Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihinthale 50300, Sri Lanka
Banu M. Nissanka: Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihinthale 50300, Sri Lanka
Nirangani N. Ranasinghe: Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihinthale 50300, Sri Lanka
Chathurika D. Senarathna: Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihinthale 50300, Sri Lanka
Christian Schleyer: Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences, University of Kassel, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany
Andreas Thiel: Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences, University of Kassel, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 15, 1-14

Abstract: Human–elephant conflict (HEC) is a severe and much-debated issue in Sri Lanka. An average of two hundred animals are intentionally killed, and seventy to eighty human casualties are counted each year. The Sri Lankan elephant ( Elephas maximus maximus ) is an endangered subspecies. The reported elephant mortality rates are high. On the other hand, human–elephant conflict also leads to hardship and trauma among rural populations. This research paper reviews causal explanations for HEC in Sri Lanka, tracing underlying narratives and connecting broader conservation theory and practical approaches. The paper discusses potential causes and contexts of HEC in Sri Lanka, including historical factors (i.e., colonial hunting and land-use changes), poaching, habitat loss due to population growth, crop-raiding behaviour, problem animals, and changes in agricultural production systems. The review concludes that socio-economic and cultural factors in HEC in Sri Lanka are poorly explained, and more research should focus on the underlying conditions of rural populations’ vulnerability.

Keywords: human–elephant conflict; Sri Lanka; Asian elephant conservation; conservation social sciences (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/15/8625/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/15/8625/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:15:p:8625-:d:607134

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().