As elephant habitat shrinks, conflict with farming communities has intensified, causing harm to both people and elephants across Africa and Asia.
Elephant-human conflict is one of the most difficult wildlife welfare challenges because the suffering falls on both sides. Elephants killed in retaliatory raids, electrocuted at poorly marked power lines, or injured in snare traps suffer enormously. The communities they raid face food insecurity and danger. Solutions that reduce conflict without harming elephants — bee fences, chili barriers, community compensation funds — represent genuine welfare improvements for both species. These solutions require sustained funding and community partnership to scale.