Sri Lanka, April 22 -- Villager surveys by the Centre for Conservation and Research, Sri Lanka (CCRSL) confirm that drives worsen human-elephant conflict (HEC) with the increased aggression of elephants. Radio collaring data show that translocation is futile, resulting in higher human and elephant mortality rates at the new locations. As we argued in the first instalment of this series, the government's approach rests on unscientific assumptions and ignores NAP.

Long-distance elephant drives: a dead-end road

Mega-drives aim to permanently move elephants near agricultural and irrigation projects to Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) PAs. These drives are expensive and prolonged. Herds and calves are harassed with firecrackers, and...