Abstract

The study assessed the crop raiding situation around Kakum conservation area (KCA). This was done through analysis of data collected on elephant damage to crops from crop-raiding report forms completed for all raids, which occurred from January to December, 2007 at KCA. It was observed that cases of crop damage by elephants covered a total agricultural land area of about 2.3 ha and this involved 35 farms, which belonged to 30 farmers of seven communities around the Reserve. Cash crops like cocoa and orange and also subsistence food crops such as cassava, plantain and tomato were raided fiercely in both dry and rainy seasons. It appeared that the elephants engaged in spite raid in which situation the crop raided was not consumed. The study further revealed that the number of raids increased with the size of the farm and with the proximity to the park boundary and that the elephants mostly targeted mature crops. From the results of the study it was recommended that owners of farms around the reserve should be supported to use the available deterrent methods such as chili fences to prevent future damages. Also, farmers should be advised to plant trees that are undesirable to the elephants close to the boundary to act as buffer. A buffer zone of at least 100 m from the Park boundary should be considered.

Key words: Kakum conservation area, crop raiding, elephants, human-elephant conflict, cash crops, subsistence food crops, spite raid.