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Crop raiding by African elephants threatens human livelihoods and elephants, yet studies of long-term changes in crop raiding and effects on attitudes are lacking. The scope of perceived crop damage in three communities and local attitudes toward elephants and protected areas were surveyed in the Bénoué Wildlife Conservation Area, Cameroon in 2010. Temporal changes in attitudes and perceived crop damage were estimated using previous work. The percent of households reporting elephant crop raiding increased since 1997 (58% vs. 40%). Attitudes toward Bénoué National Park were positive and did not change over time, although more people today were positive toward the hunting concessions. Crop damage by elephants did not significantly influence attitudes toward the species, yet 52% reported no benefit to elephant presence in the area. Immigration likely contributed to increased reported elephant damages, hence, land use planning and the prevention of further encroachment is central to reducing human–elephant conflict.
