Human-Elephant conflict and their mitigation techniques in Pinggir District, Bengkalis Regency

Abstract

Conflict between elephants and humans occurs almost every year in Pinggir District, Bengkalis Regency, Riau Province. This study aims to determine the characteristics of Human-Elephant conflict in Pinggir District, Bengkalis Regency and its mitigation techniques. Data collection was carried out by purposive sampling. Purposive sampling was conducted by interviewing respondents who had experienced conflicts with elephants. Based on the interviews results, the Human-Elephant conflict occur almost every year where in the 2000s there were many conflicts between elephants and humans and now in 2021 and 2022 there is a decline in elephant-human conflicts. This is because the elephants in Pinggir District have moved to other locations such as the Giam Siak Kecil enclave. The results of the interview also informed that only certain locations experienced conflict between elephants and humans, especially the paths that were often traversed by elephants. Mitigation techniques that are mostly done by the community in dealing with conflicts with elephants are the sounds of using firecrackers and cannons, evictions and gardening by the community and making elephant trenches for people who have strong capital.