Costs of coexistence: understanding the drivers of tolerance towards Asian elephants Elephas maximus in rural Bangladesh

摘要: Habitat degradation and fragmentation have heightened the importance of understanding human tolerance towards wildlife, as fate wildlife in multi-use landscapes depends on people's capacity for coexistence. We applied model to examine drivers Asian elephants Elephas maximus rural Bangladesh, interviewing local people 17 villages. used structural equation modelling identify causal pathways which elephant-related exposure, positive negative interactions, costs benefits (tangible intangible) contributed tolerance. Contrary expectations, monetary were non-significant shaping despite major impacts livelihoods. Instead, intangible significant factors determining Furthermore, reducing exposure would not necessarily affect tolerance, nor increasing interactions. discuss how socio-economic bio-cultural dynamics communities can explain these results, demonstrate our be incorporate such complexities into conservation decision-making. For instance, compensation schemes aim recompense losses direct damages, improve whereas results suggest a more effective approach enhance resilience non-monetary perceived benefits. conclude that future studies should pay increased attention consider less Through repeated testing universal models presented here, broad trends may emerge will facilitate application policies across contexts landscapes.