Gabon’s Human-Elephant Conflict

KAKALI DAS

Gabon is witnessing a growing conflict between humans and African forest elephants, often called “Forest Gardeners” for their crucial role in sustaining the region’s ecosystem.

Despite their ecological importance, these elephants’ survival increasingly clashes with the needs of local communities.

With over 95,000 elephants coexisting alongside more than 2 million people in Gabon, the delicate balance between safeguarding elephants and ensuring human welfare is increasingly under strain.

Gabon’s Human-Elephant Conflict — Image: Powershift

The African forest elephant inhabits the vast rainforests of Africa’s Congo Basin, carving out a unique path of life in the region. As they graze, these gentle giants play a vital role in dispersing seeds, aiding the forest vegetation in regenerating and thriving.

The unique feeding habits of African forest elephants have earned them the esteemed title of “Forest Gardeners” in the animal kingdom. Gabon, a Central African nation, is home to more than half of the world’s African forest elephants, with over 95,000 residing in its rainforests. In contrast, the human population of Gabon is slightly over 2 million.

In recent times, climate change and human activity have severely impacted the natural habitat of African forest elephants. As a result, these “Forest Gardeners” now wander through corn and cassava fields. With each giant step into human settlements, their trumpeting calls echo a poignant symphony of survival and encroachment.

The village of Bakoussou stands as a vivid example of the human-elephant conflict. This small cluster of wooden huts, nestled amid lush forests, views the elephants not as “Forest Gardeners” but as destructive intruders, trampling on their livelihoods and threatening their way of life.

“I don’t understand what the government is trying to protect—human beings or animals. I don’t know what value they place on elephants. This is what needs clarification—what role do elephants play for the state compared to their impact on human lives?” said a resident of Bakoussou.

As encounters with elephants become increasingly frequent, fear grows alongside frustration. For the villagers, the threat is not merely financial but deeply existential.

“We have to support our children. If our agriculture only benefits the elephants, what will happen to us? What are we supposed to do?” said a resident.

In response to the growing human-animal conflict, Gabon is striving to strike a balance between conservation efforts and safeguarding the welfare of local communities.

Electric fences have been installed to deter elephants without causing them harm, and communities can request administrative assistance to remove problematic animals. However, villagers argue that these measures are insufficient.

“For now, it helps keep the elephants away. It works for the moment, but sometimes, when a whole herd wants to pass, they can break through and come in,” said a resident.

The African forest elephant is fully protected in Gabon. The country has implemented various measures to safeguard its elephants, including doubling the budget for the National Parks Department, establishing the National Park Police Force, burning its ivory stockpile in 2012, and joining the global initiative for elephant protection.

. Although killing elephants remains illegal, a recent statement has come to define Gabon’s elephant narrative. Last December, transitional president Brice Oligui Nguema publicly expressed support for communities affected by elephant incursions

The Japanese leader stated that elephants could be killed in self-defence. His comments resonated with villagers but raised significant concerns among conservationists.

“When the president said ‘shoot them,’ he was referring to self-defence. It’s true that the message came across strongly to the people, but it was about self-defence. So, when you’re faced with a danger caused by an elephant, it’s natural to defend yourself,” said a resident.

Killing elephants, even in self-defence, undermines decades of conservation efforts. Experts warn that losing the forest elephant could have severe consequences for Gabon’s prized forest ecosystems.

“Gabon is increasingly becoming a refuge for elephants, both in terms of space and habitat. We bear a dual responsibility: to preserve this species for the world to witness and to ensure its survival for the sustainability of our forests,” said an expert in human-wildlife conflict.

As the sun sets over Gabon’s forests, the forest gardeners blend into the shadows of the villages they encroach upon.

For now, this human-animal conflict remains unresolved. It poses a pressing question: Will the fragile bond between humanity and nature collapse under the unsustainable demands of human existence?

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