Abstract

Habitat loss from forest conversion to agriculture threatens tropical biodiversity. While wildlife typically avoids human-mediated risk, some species may adopt riskier strategies to access food in human-dominated landscapes. The recent conversion of a protected area into an agro-industrial plantation near Campo-Ma’an National Park, Cameroon, coincides with increased forest elephant sightings near human settlements, suggesting a change in habitat use. Camera traps were deployed and reconnaissance walks were conducted between camera trap stations to examine the influence of human activity on forest elephant habitat use. Households were interviewed to assess local experiences with human-elephant conflict and attitudes toward elephant conservation. Reconnaissance walks provided a greater amount of data than camera traps. Elephants tended to avoid sites with higher human activity and were less active during the midday peak in human activity. However, their proximity to settlements suggests an overall risk-taking behavior in their habitat use which, combined with site-level avoidance and distinct activity patterns that reduce encounters, points to a complex trade-off between human-mediated risk and resource access. Most households reported increased elephant presence and crop damage, often attributing it to the agro-industrial plantation. Vulnerability to crop damage better predicted attitudes toward elephant conservation than actual damage, and past interactions with wildlife and conservation authorities also appeared to influence perceptions. Despite increased human-elephant conflict, attitudes toward elephant conservation remained generally positive but could deteriorate if conflicts persist. Continued monitoring of forest elephants in human-dominated landscapes, effective land-use planning, and incorporating local perspectives into conservation strategies are crucial for sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife.