Rural and urban views on elephants, conservation and poaching

Abstract Successful anti-poaching policies and effective conservation of Asian elephants Elephas maximus require input support from all stakeholders, including the public. But although Myanmar has one largest remaining populations wild elephants, there been little research on public attitudes towards poaching. We developed a questionnaire to assess people in rural urban areas conservation, their perceptions experience with elephant conducted 178 interviews across two regions Myanmar. Although both participants supported expressed more favourable than counterparts. Similarly, priorities differed between communities, communities less likely believe that peaceful human–elephant coexistence was possible preferring initiatives prioritize human activities over conservation. Both groups were familiar poaching Myanmar, but appeared be better informed regarding challenges faced by agencies, negatively affected Our findings highlight potential for intervention government agencies reduce criminal activity protect Myanmar's citizens its elephants.