With the increasing intensity of the conflict, the traditional methods of controlling elephant attacks may no longer be effective in most situations. Establishing a physical barrier - electric fencing - is considered as the most effective solution and during the last decade a substantial amount of money has been invested in this approach. Ad hoc decisions and improper planning which ignore the needs of stakeholders in the conflict should be avoided and all participants, human and wildlife, must be considered to achieve a holistic solution to a conflict situation. For example, in establishing the location of the fences, the elephants’ breeding behaviour and migratory pattern should be considered in addition to the requirements of the local population.

The underlying assumption of fencing around parks is that wild elephants should live in designated areas (i.e. park areas). However, given their huge food and water requirements, (approx. 150 kg per day. Elephants eat 17 hours per day) migratory behaviour, long life spans, it is inevitable that free-ranging elephants raid crop fields. This indicates that the establishment of electric fencing should be linked with a comprehensive land use planning exercise where elephant habitats (i.e. park areas) should be grouped and interconnected via elephant corridors. The habitat should then be enriched and fenced. Therefore, electric fencing should not be seen as a medium-term solution but as an integral part of a long-term holistic solution package.