Understanding Barriers to Human-Wildlife Coexistence: Evidence From Southern Sri Lanka

Area of Science:

• Conservation Biology
• Human-Wildlife Interactions

Background:

• Human-wildlife coexistence (HW-coexistence) is a primary conservation objective.
• Current efforts predominantly focus on mitigating human-wildlife conflict, often neglecting deeper systemic barriers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the barriers hindering HW-coexistence in farming communities interacting with elephants (Elephas maximus maximus) in Sri Lanka.
• To identify socio-political, institutional, and power-related factors impeding coexistence.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-method ethnographic approach was employed in Walsapugala village, Southern Sri Lanka.
• Data collection involved participant observation, focus group discussions, and transect walks.

Main Results:

• Socio-political drivers, institutional and structural challenges, and issues of power and corruption were identified as significant barriers.
• Conflicts were found to extend beyond farmer-elephant interactions to include other wildlife and governing authorities.
• These broader conflicts impacting coexistence have been underrepresented in existing literature.

Conclusions:

• Effective human-elephant coexistence necessitates addressing underlying barriers beyond isolated conflict mitigation strategies.
• Future research should prioritize understanding and resolving socio-political, institutional, and power-related impediments to coexistence.
• Proper implementation of mitigation strategies is crucial and influenced by these identified barriers.