Journal
ORYX
Volume 46, Issue 1, Pages 137-144Publisher
CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS
DOI: 10.1017/S0030605311001104
Keywords
African elephant; crop raiding; human-elephant conflict; Kenya; Laikipia; mobile phone technology; rural development; smallholder agriculture
Categories
Funding
- UK Darwin Initiative for the Survival of Species [15/040]
- GSMA Development Fund, Safaricom Ltd, Wireless ZT, Nokia
- Nokia Siemens Networks
- Kenya Wildlife Service
- Laikipia Wildlife Forum
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Human-elephant conflict is a significant problem in Africa, undermining biodiversity conservation and development efforts. Early warning of crop raiding and a coordinated response from landholders and wildlife authorities are important for effective management of this conflict. Mobile phones have spread rapidly in rural Africa and could potentially be used to improve communication and increase the effectiveness of responses to crop raids by elephants. We analyse changes in patterns of communication around human-elephant conflict incidents before and after the arrival of mobile phone technology in Laikipia County in north-central Kenya, and the performance of mobile phone communication in a trial at three sites. We show that mobile phones can improve communication and reduce human-elephant conflict where there is good mobile coverage and widespread adoption. Conservation projects have much to gain from engaging with mobile phone technology.
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