Elephant Crop Raiding in the Dzanga-Sangha Reserve, Central African Republic

Located in southwestern Central Republic, the Dzanga-Sangha Reserve, an area of lowland rainforest, has always sustained high densities of forest wildlife, notably the forest elephant, Loxodonta africana cyclotis. A nine month study was initiated in March of 1999 to assess crop damage by wildlife, in particular, elephant crop raiding. The survey was done using a standardized questionnaire formulated by IUCN with slight adaptations as well as a French translation for this area. The villages in the reserve were made aware of the survey and the interest in collecting information about crop damage. Response to the survey was low indicating either low animal damage on crops or a lack of compensation for crop damage. Most of the damage reported was to mature cassava (Manihot esculens). Cassava is the most widely cultivated food crop in the area as well as the main subsistence and cash crop. All damage reported was done by elephants. To a lesser extent rodents and monkeys also damage crops but elephants because of their size and high densities are perceived as the major crop raider. As the human population increases in this area driven by economic possibilities such as logging, mining, and conservation projects, the conflict between humans and elephants and other animals will undoubtedly increase. Methods of assessing and compensating this issue of crop damage must be formulated to insure protection of one of the most important elephant populations in the Central African Republic