Determinants of seasonal elephant habitat-use in small and enclosed conservation area

This study demonstrates the importance of seasonal environmental factors particularly water availability, vegetation productivity, elevation, and invasive species in influencing seasonal elephant habitat-use dynamics in small and enclosed conservation areas particularly in fenced and isolated areas where inadequate forage during the dry season can lead to increased vegetation destruction and human-wildlife conflicts. Habitat-use shifts in response to changing resource availability and distribution underscore the importance of resource accessibility and profitability in determining seasonal elephant distribution. The unexpected preference for invaded areas during the dry season further highlights the complexity of habitat selection in small and isolated conservation areas lacking migration and dispersal corridors, especially during resource-scarce periods. These findings exemplify the importance of maintaining access to water and forage resources, implementing effective habitat management, and ensuring the functionality of fence barriers to reduce the risk of human–wildlife conflict.