The impact of conflict-induced mortality on the viability of elephant
populations in heterogeneous landscapes is largely
unknown. We address this issue by extending a density-dependent
age-structured matrix population model
to project Asian elephant population
viability in the light of HEC-induced mortality within CAs. Our goal
was to understand how the interplay of anthropogenic mortality
and modifications to existing habitat could shape the future of elephant
populations. We defined our hypothetical area of interest as
comprising inviolate core areas surrounded by CAs, and explored
elephant population persistence under different configurations of
the core and co-occurrence areas and varying levels of HECinduced
mortality. We use our results to make recommendations
about elephant conservation in the face of growing anthropogenic
pressures.