Date of Award

Summer 8-2-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Joshua Plotnik

Second Advisor

Dr. Martha Mendez Baldwin

Academic Program Adviser

Diana Reiss

Abstract

Due to human development and habitat fragmentation, Asian elephants increasingly use human landscapes and encounter people. These interactions have led to negative interactions between humans and elephants, such as crop-raiding. Despite efforts to mitigate these conflicts, farmers have not been able to consistently protect their crops from elephant foraging. Therefore, it is important to understand elephant behavior in these landscapes to help create long term mitigation plans. Specifically, research regarding demographic patterns in Asian elephants’ perceived predation risk can inform wild elephant management. This study used camera traps in Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary in Kanchanaburi, Thailand to observe the wild Asian elephant population and determine if the lunar cycle affected the presence of male and female elephants in agricultural lands and inside the sanctuary.

Available for download on Saturday, July 26, 2025

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