Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access

doi:10.3808/jeil.202000035
Copyright © 2024 ISEIS. All rights reserved

Investigating Geospatial Patterns of Elephant Crop Damage Adjacent to the Serengeti National Park and Grumeti Game Reserve, Tanzania

A. A. Mamboleo1*, C. Doscher2, and A. Paterson3

  1. Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management, St. Augustine University of Tanzania, P. O. Box 307, Mwanza, Tanzania
  2. Department of Environmental Management, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand
  3. Department of Pest-management and Conservation, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand

*Corresponding author. Tel.: +255-763-688-765; fax: +255-28-2550-167. E-mail address: abel.mamboleo@saut.ac.tz (A. A. Mamboleo).

Abstract


We investigated a spatial configuration of human-elephant interactions in communities bordering the Serengeti National Park and Grumeti Game Reserve. Elephant crop damage was the most common adverse impact of the interactions. Geographic information systems were used to assess the distribution, hot and coldspots and relationships of elephant crop damage and environmental features in the Bunda District, Tanzania. Six hotspots and three coldspots were identified. Of all elephant crop damage incidents, 66% occurred in the wider village areas bordering Grumeti Game Reserve, 28% in the wider village areas bordering the Serengeti National Park and 6% in village areas that did not border the protected areas. There was a high concentration of elephant crop damage near rivers and protected areas, which decreased with increased geographical distance from the edge of these features.

Keywords: Bunda district, elephant crop damage, Grumeti Game Reserve, hot spots, human-elephant conflict, Serengeti National Park


Full Text:

PDF

Supplementary Files:

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.