Human Elephant ​Co-eXistence ​(HECx)

Project Overview

Human-elephant conflict (HEC) is one of the ​most pressing conservation challenges today. ​Since 2008, Zoo Outreach Organisation has ​been working to promote Human Elephant ​Coexistence (HECx) through innovative training ​and education programmes across South and ​Southeast Asia. Our approach uses a specially ​developed teaching guide that addresses HEC ​through a systematic, scientific thinking ​process. This unique education module aims to ​foster understanding, respect, and coexistence ​between humans and elephants in areas where ​their habitats overlap. By focusing on attitudinal ​and behavioral changes, we strive to mitigate ​conflict, enhance conservation efforts, and ​create a sustainable future where both humans ​and elephants

• To empower educators to confront the issue of Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) and ​promote Human-Elephant Coexistence (HECx).
  
• To demonstrate innovative teaching and learning techniques designed to change human ​attitudes and behavior for the better.
  
• To educate people living in or near elephant habitats, improving their attitudes towards ​wild elephants and teaching them to avoid confrontation and conflict.
  
• To develop and adapt innovative, exciting educational tools that effectively bring about ​attitudinal and behavioral changes among people coexisting with elephants.
  
• To train key educators and interns in using these tools to promote understanding of the ​cultural and ecological importance of Asian Elephants and their conservation challenges.
  
• To teach target groups how to disseminate information more effectively through various ​attractive, impactful, and meaningful active learning techniques.
  
• To create sustainable momentum for human-elephant coexistence efforts that continues ​long after the initial workshops and training sessions.
  

Street plays

To promote understanding of the cultural and ​ecological importance of Asian Elephants, ​their conservation challenges, and the need ​for Human Elephant Coexistence.

Sc​hool programmes

To teach students about safety education ​on human-elephant coexistence through ​school awareness programmes, helping ​them save lives and live harmoniously with ​elephants.

Programmes

Surveys

To understand the ground situation of human-​elephant conflicts, including the history of ​HEC, duration, frequency (seasonal or ​annual), types of damages caused by ​elephants to crops, houses, and property, ​human deaths, usual traditional mitigation ​measures employed, types of agricultural ​crops grown, people's attitudes towards ​problem elephants, socio-economic status, ​and tolerance to the problem.

Training and Capacity Building

To offer a comprehensive suite of training programs tailored to different stakeholders. Our capacity building ​training for forest frontline staff focuses on human-elephant conflict issues, mitigation methods, and the ​importance of coexistence. We conduct sensitization programs for media personnel, educating them about ​elephant behaviors, dos and don'ts in HEC areas to prevent human casualties, and encouraging factual ​reporting to ease community tensions. For line department staff, we provide training on modifying incompatible ​livelihood methods and developing safety protocols in conflict areas. Additionally, we train teachers to ​effectively spread awareness among students, ensuring that the next generation is well-informed about ​human-elephant coexistence. These diverse training initiatives aim to create a well-informed network of ​professionals and educators who can contribute significantly to mitigating human-elephant conflict.

Join us

Supporters

You can reach us at marimuthu@zooreach.org and zooreach@zooreach.org