Human–elephant conflict is resurfacing in parts of Cross River State as expanding farmlands push closer to protected forests. In this interview, Dr Inoyom Imong, Country Director of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), explains what drives these encounters, the toll of poaching, and practical steps being taken to protect both communities and endangered wildlife.Q: What often informs human–elephant conflict in Cross River State?
Imong: Cross River State has about 100 elephants, most of them inside the Cross River National Park (CRNP). As human population increases, farmlands are expanding into park boundaries. When elephants move out of the forest in search of food—especially fruits—they immediately encounter farms, leading to conflict.
We have seen this around the Okwango Division of CRNP, the Mbe Mountains, and recently in Butatong community, which borders the park. Elephants are highly intelligent and tend to remember routes they have used before.
Q: What is being done to stem these conflicts?
Imong: We work closely with communities around CRNP to reduce conflict, mainly by discouraging farming too close to protected areas. There should be buffer zones around parks to allow large animals with wide ranges to move without damaging crops or threatening people.
This requires collaboration—government agencies, CRNP authorities, and NGOs like WCS must work together with communities to find lasting solutions, including ways to deter elephants from leaving protected areas.
Q: Have there been casualties—human or elephant—during these conflicts?
Imong: I am not aware of any cases where elephants have destroyed houses or attacked humans in Cross River State. However, there are multiple reports of elephants being killed by poachers for economic gain. Some even enter the national park to carry out these killings.
Q: How many elephants have been killed so far?
Imong: On average, at least two elephants are killed each year by poachers, some of whom hire specialists with sophisticated equipment from outside the state. As a result, fewer than 50 forest and savannah elephants remain in the Okwango Division of CRNP, with similar numbers in the Oban Division.
Q: Does WCS plan to compensate affected farmers and communities?
Imong: Compensation is under discussion, but it is complex and resource-intensive. It requires strong collaboration between government and NGOs and extensive engagement with affected communities. At the moment, I am not aware of any compensation being paid by CRNP, but WCS is actively working with stakeholders to mitigate the problem.
Q: Is relocation of people from buffer zones an option?
Imong: That would be extremely difficult. These communities have lived there for hundreds of years. Relocation is almost impossible. The better approach is to work with them—discourage encroachment into elephant habitats and prevent elephants from entering human settlements.
Q: How can elephants be prevented from entering communities?
Imong: Several methods are effective. One is the use of gunpowder cannons; the loud sound scares elephants away because they associate it with poachers. We have used this successfully in parts of Boki LGA.
We are also considering beehive fences, as elephants dislike bees, and encouraging farmers to plant crops like pepper, which elephants avoid.
Q: Are there similar issues with gorillas?
Imong: Not really. In 2017, a young gorilla once strayed into a community near the Afi Mountain Sanctuary. Working with the Cross River Forestry Commission and park rangers, we safely guided it back without harm—apart from eating some banana stems. Education and community engagement by WCS have helped prevent repeat incidents.
Q: How many gorillas and chimpanzees are left in the state?
Imong: There are about 100 Cross River gorillas in Nigeria, and roughly 300 across Nigeria and Cameroon combined. Cross River State also has between 100 and 150 chimpanzees.
Q: What economic value do these animals have?
Imong: Elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, and other wildlife have huge eco-tourism potential. They can generate significant revenue if properly conserved. Communities must therefore take responsibility alongside government and organizations like WCS to manage conflicts and protect these species. Conservation works best through collaboration.
