Persepsi Masyarakat dan Nilai Kerugian Ekonomi terhadap Konflik Gajah Sumatera (Elephas maximus sumatranus) di Desa Penyangga Kawasan TNGL SPTN VI Besitang.

Abstract

Sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus) are listed as critically endangered species in the International Institute for conservation of nature (IUCN). Elephant conflicts with humans occur are increasing nowadays. The changes of forest land into agricultural for human income become settlements which is the main cause of conflict. This study aims to identify people’s perceptions of elephants, the effective mitigation of elephant conflict, and the value of economic losses of elephant conflict. The method used in this study is observation and interviews. Interviews were conducted by questionnaires and determine respondents using a 5x5 km2 grid. The results showed that 11 respondents (20%) were affected by the conflict and 43 respondents (80%) were not affected by the conflict. Spritus cannons are considered effective in driving away elephants. The community losses in the last 3 years have reached Rp 58.000.000,00 and the smallest loss was Rp 500.000.