Building human–elephant relationships based on science and local ownership: a long‐lasting issue in the era of Sustainable Development Goals

Human–wildlife conflict (HWC) has escalated in recent times, becoming a major challenge that threatens people’s livelihoods and the survival of wildlife species worldwide (Nyhus, 2016). HWC causes direct damage to local people sharing living space with wildlife, such as injuries, deaths, crops, livestock, property. It also indirect effects, economic loss, food insecurity, costs associated preventing HWC-related damage, thereby affecting human well-being (Dickman, 2010; Nyhus, Consequently, coexistence can undermine motivation conserve their habitats, thus negatively impacting conservation outcomes (Cooney et al., 2017). Solving requires establishing sustainable socio-ecological systems enhance both conservation. Human–elephant (HEC) is common, serious for elephant development range countries Asia Africa (Shaffer 2019). In many areas, habitat loss fragmentation, caused by land-use changes, threaten populations, increasing frequency HEC Furthermore, climate change increase conflicts limiting availability resources, water (Bush 2020). Given resource limitations, understanding use elephants reflects requirements essential designing landscapes balance needs humans elephants. Using long-term population tracking data records accumulated management authorities, de la Torre al. (2021) spatially illustrated suitability occurrence HECs Asian (Elephas maximus), sexes, Peninsular Malaysia. Those preferred areas around plantations moderately disturbed vegetation, mainly occurred these opposed those occasionally. found variation between sexes high disturbance (such open close settlements), suggesting this may be key sexual differences pattern study area, degree female involvement causing crops among different agricultural landscapes. highlighted problems translocation based on model positive correlation incidents. They indicate even if translocate some individuals primary forests, only assumption generally live attracted human-disturbed vegetation new depending landscape (de 2021). Thus, whilst appearing non-lethal ‘humane’, not solve fundamentally, become an ‘inhumane’ measure creating risks other areas. showed importance considering preventive mitigation measures at level combining various measures, planning small-scale exclusionary measures. Studies African (Loxodonta africana) have indicated limited effectiveness removing problematic individuals, since tend replace them One popular related land fencing fields and/or protected Although method poses risk fragmentation elephants, amass unfeasible maintenance costs, evidence suggests fences cost-effective strategically installed factors (Di Minin Overall, it necessary understand advantages disadvantages each countermeasure then adaptively implement them, multiple necessary, conditions. To conditions appropriately, promote integrate HEC-related studies social, economic, political realities 2016; Shaffer For example, contrary narrative destruction due growth expansion increases HEC, negative spiral human-population decline crop observed rural Central (Terada This rather similar situation depopulated developed countries, Japan (Tsunoda & Enari, complexity, better underlying communication scientists, practitioners, residents essential, suggested (2021). will contribute, application research findings, but setting further questions approaches through identification knowledge gap. Another complexity global discussion strongly influences policies often without respecting ownership. voices impacted people, who bear cost are always respected discussions issues validity culling management, trophy hunting, international trade or ivory funding (Biggs 2017; Cassidy Salerno, problem more attention, ethical reasons strategies persists, today when Sustainable Development Goals emphasize integration environmental, social dimensions need ‘leave no one behind’. Mitigation holistic approach wide multifaceted interdisciplinary knowledge. Therefore, scientists should aware non-malicious gaps misconceptions lead inappropriate recommendations management. Moreover, stakeholders across disciplines, sectors, societal positions share knowledge, identify vulnerability populations communities, design human-elephant peoples’ ownership 2020; Terada avenues, ecological research, (2021), play important role, especially identifying spatiotemporal environmental changes elephants’ responses level. I thank Naoki Matsuura, Nobuo Ishii, Yoshio Kaneko, Tatsuya Horikiri, Tadashi Miyashita valuable discussions, Eliud Kiprop final English editing manuscript. Society Promotion Science (JSPS) Research fellowships Young Scientists JSPS KAKENHI (Grant Number JP19J00938) supporting academic career editing.