Elephant status and conflict with humans on the western bank of Liwonde National Park, Malawi.

Abstract

The status of elephants in the western edge of Liwonde NP, an area they have only occupied since 1972, and the relationship these animals have come to have with the agricultural land use outside the boundaries of their protected area were assessed. Aerial and ground surveys were used to estimate herd size and sex ratios, and assess movements. Sampling of crop damage and identification of the animals responsible was done as far as possible. Even though the potential for conflict was high the overall crop damage was calculated at only 10-25%. The attributing factors appear to be the availability of sufficient natural forage elsewhere and the relatively small number of adult bulls in the area. As bulls frequented the crops 5.8 times more than females, a lack of numbers lowers the potential effect from such 'crop raiders'.