Current and Future Approaches to Mitigate Conflict between Humans and Asian Elephants: The Potential Use of Aversive Geofencing Devices

Abstract

Asian elephants are a principal cause of human-wildlife conflict. This results in the death/injury of elephants and humans and large-scale crop and property damage. Most current human-elephant conflict (HEC) mitigation tools lack the flexibility to accommodate the ecological needs of elephants and are ineffective at reducing HEC in the long-term. Here we review common HEC mitigation tools used in Asia and the potential of Aversive Geofencing Devices (AGDs) to manage problem elephants. AGDs can be configured to monitor animal movements in real-time and deliver auditory warnings followed by electric stimuli whenever animals attempt to move across user-specified virtual boundaries. Thus, AGDs are expected to condition elephants to avoid receiving shocks and keep them away from virtually fenced areas, while providing alternative routes that can be modified if required. Studies conducted using AGDs with other species provide an overview of their potential in conditioning wild animals. We recommend that the efficacy and welfare impact of AGDs be evaluated using captive elephants along with public perception of using AGDs on elephants as a means of addressing the inherent deficiencies of common HEC mitigation tools. If elephants could be successfully conditioned to avoid virtual fences, then AGDs could resolve many HEC incidents throughout Asia.

Keywords: Elephas maximus; aversive conditioning; human-wildlife conflict; virtual fencing; wildlife management.

Figure 1

Conceptual diagram of how Aversive Geofencing Devices (AGDs) are expected to work to manage movement of a wild elephant. (a) Virtual fences are drawn on a digital device. (b) Sound warning is delivered as the elephant fitted with an AGD approaches first virtual fence. (c) Elephant approaches second virtual fence and receives both sound and electric stimuli. (d) Elephant proceeds further and receives electric shock as pulses. (e) A warning message is sent to villagers’ mobile phones if the elephant ignores the electric shocks and proceeds further. (f) Elephant learns to turn away and avoid receiving electric shocks after few instances.