We know when people farm near high-use elephant pathways more crop-raiding incidents occur there. Does this pattern hold even beyond paths, where areas with higher connectivity/higher probability of movement across the landscape see more conflict? 2/7
We modeled connectivity based on GPS collar data from 15 elephants in the Western Okavango Panhandle of Botswana (data from @TheECOEXISTproj) using #Circuitscape. (all eles collared with appropriate permits/approvals from @BWGovernment and @TAMU) 3/7
We found that current density class was positively and significantly correlated with the number of elephant crop raiding incidents (2010-2016).
That means more conflict incidents were reported in areas with higher connectivity. 4/7
This nicely supports @Osipova_Ludmila et al's 2018 paper that predicted human-elephant conflict would increase in certain areas if fences shifted patterns of elephant movement & connectivity. doi.org/10.1111/1365-2β¦ 5/7
Over the course of one season, connectivity didn't correlate w/whether a field was raided/not, or raid frequency. This could indicate more proximate factors impact raiding in the short-term, while landscape-driven elephant movement may lead to long-term crop-raiding patterns. 6/7
This project was possible due to cooperation with the Botswana Dept of Wildlife & National Parks, in particular Andrew Sejamitlwa; Samokokore Kerumotsemang (pictured); the villages, dikgosi, & enumerators from Samochima, Nxamasere, Xhaoga, Kajaja, Ikoga, Sepopa, Etsha 6 & 13. 7/7
PHD OPPORTUNITY: Cheetah Conservation Botswana and @TAMU are offering a fully funded research PhD for Botswana citizens. The successful applicant will study full time (3 yrs) and conduct research in Botswana w/supervision by CCB's research team and the university.
RESEARCH TITLE: "Understanding and Supporting Human-Wildlife Coexistence in Ghanzi Wildlife Management Areas"
PROJECT OVERVIEW: This PhD research will use camera trap and spoor surveys to estimate large mammal populations and develop conservation incentives...
for communities in the Wildlife Management Areas of the Ghanzi district, in particular, a Conservation Performance Payment scheme (CPP). This is a rare opportunity to make wide landscape-scale wildlife surveys before and after a conservation intervention in a ...