Current and Future Approaches to Mitigate Conflict between Humans and Asian Elephants: The Potential Use of Aversive Geofencing Devices
Article
Article Title | Current and Future Approaches to Mitigate Conflict between Humans and Asian Elephants: The Potential Use of Aversive |
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ERA Journal ID | 200143 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Cabral de Mel, Surendranie Judith (Author), Seneweera, Saman (Author), de Mel, Ruvinda Kasun (Author), Dangolla, Ashoka (Author), Weerakoon, Devaka Keerthi (Author), Maraseni, Tek (Author) and Allen, Benjamin Lee (Author) |
Journal Title | Animals |
Journal Citation | 12 (21), pp. 1-29 |
Article Number | 2965 |
Number of Pages | 29 |
Year | 2022 |
Publisher | MDPI AG |
Place of Publication | Switzerland |
ISSN | 2076-2615 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12212965 |
Web Address (URL) | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/21/2965 |
Abstract | Conflict between humans and Asian elephants is a major conservation issue. Here we discuss common tools used to manage human-elephant conflict (HEC) in Asia and the potential of animal-borne satellite-linked shock collars or Aversive Geofencing Devices (AGDs) for managing problem elephants. Most current HEC mitigation tools lack the ability to be modified to accommodate needs of elephants and therefore are sometimes unsuccessful. AGDs currently used to manage livestock movement can be adapted to mitigate HEC to overcome this problem. AGDs can constantly monitor animal movements and be programmed to deliver sound warnings followed by electric shock whenever animals attempt to move across virtual boundaries demarcated by managers. Elephants fitted with AGDs are expected to learn to avoid the electric shock by associating it with the warning sound and move away from specified areas. Based on the potential shown by studies conducted using AGDs on other wild species, we suggest that experiments should be conducted with captive elephants to determine the efficacy and welfare impact of AGDs on elephants. Further, assessing public opinion on using AGDs on elephants will also be important. If elephants can learn to avoid virtual boundaries set by AGDs, it could help to significantly reduce HEC incidents. |
Keywords | aversive conditioning; Elephas maximus; human-wildlife conflict; virtual fencing; wildlife management |
Related Output | |
Is part of | Efficacy and welfare of aversive geofencing devices for managing the movements of Asian elephants |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 300999. Veterinary sciences not elsewhere classified |
Public Notes | This article is part of a UniSQ Thesis by publication. See Related Output. |
Byline Affiliations | Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment |
National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Sri Lanka | |
University of New England | |
University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka | |
University of Colombo, Sri Lanka | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q7w95/current-and-future-approaches-to-mitigate-conflict-between-humans-and-asian-elephants-the-potential-use-of-aversive-geofencing-devices
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