Abstract

An assessment of human attitudes, particularly towards Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), is necessary in formulating appropriate policies for conserving such wildlife. The aim of this study is to test the extent of how the experience people have of wild elephants influences their perceptions of, and attitudes towards, them, and to identify factors influencing their attitudes towards the conservation of elephants in the wild. This study was carried out in four protected areas (PAs) in Bangladesh through in-depth interviews of men (N = 193) and women (N = 195). The majority of the respondents said that wild elephants caused anxiousness. The most important factors influencing the attitudes of people towards conservation regimes for wild elephants were the distances of the people that lived from the park boundary. Forest villagers residing in northern Bangladesh (70.5%) were more likely to support the conservation of wild elephants in their nearest PA through eco-tourism than those residing in south-eastern parts of the country (43.1%). This was due to a lack of natural resources in the forests and an unemployment crisis in the northern part. The introduction of environmental studies into primary and secondary schools, and the promotion of public participation in planning, decision-making and management of PAs, has been an important aspect for the sustainability of elephant conservation in Bangladesh.

Key words: Bangladesh, Asian elephant, attitude.