HWCM - Ministry of Environment and Tourism

National Workshop on Human Wildlife Conflict Management 2005
1. The data collection scheme is discussed and explained to the affected
community;
2. The enumerators are selected from the affected community;
3. Enumerators trained using a standard training package;
4. The incident is reported to the enumerator;
5. Enumerator visits site and interviews affected persons;
6. Enumerator makes assessment of damage using a standard “Elephant
Damage Form”.
2. Secondary data collection and analysis
1. Seriousness of each crop damage incident is further quantified by the researcher, using a
very simple secondary data analysis;
2. Variation in the severity of elephant crop-raiding is judged by ranking affected
villages/farms;
3. Annual summaries.
These data can then be used for local management decisions.
3. Tertiary data and analysis
• Involves input of additional “site characteristics” data by the researcher;
• Incident data can be linked to environmental variables in the conflict area;
• Spatial analysis using GIS.
Enables a deeper understanding of the dynamics and allows more meaningful management
recommendations to be made.
The AfESG’s Data Collection and Analysis Protocol
Advantages:
• Simple to use and relatively inexpensive to set up and run;
• Data entry and reporting can be done manually;
• Can be easily adapted to local circumstances;
• Yields good information about distribution of HEC;
• Allows adequate assessment of intensity;
• Involves local people, provides employment and ‘ownership’; and
• Does not rely on the complainants or on over-stretched national wildlife authorities.
Lessons learned from the practical application of the Data Collection
and Analysis Protocol
General:
• Has been successfully used to cover very large areas;
• No data collected is ever wasted;
• Can generate other useful ancillary data;
• Can serve first step in devolving responsibility for management to the local level.
But:
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