Estimation of economic loss and identifying the factors affecting the crop raiding behaviour of Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) in Nilambur part of the southern Western Ghats, Kerala, India

The crop damage by the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) on the livelihood of farmers is a major impediment to the conservation of the endangered mammals. The study was carried out in Malappuram district, Kerala, India from January 2013 to May 2016, to estimate the extent of crop damage by Asian elephants and to identify the factors affecting human–elephant conflict. To estimate the monetary loss, the method of running quadrats was employed. The major cash-crops destroyed by the Asian elephant were plantain (Musa paradisiaca), rubber (Hevea brasiliensis), areca nut (Areca catechu) and coconut (Cocos nucifera). A potential loss of Rs 5,076,827 (US$ 72,948) per annum (Rs 2,217,363 (US$ 31,861) (other crops) + Rs 2859,464 (US$ 41,087) (rubber)) was estimated. Fifty per cent of the encounters occurred at early midnight. The presence of areca nut cultivation and distance to the Reserve Forest were identified as the two factors affecting crop raiding. The damage to rubber trees by feeding on the bark has also been reported