A Multiple Case Study Exploring the Human-Elephant-Conservat
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Nova Southeastern University NSUWorks Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses CAHSS Theses and Dissertations and Dissertations 1-1-2019 Human-Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence in a More-than-Human World: A Multiple Case Study Exploring the Human-Elephant-Conservation Nexus in Namibia and Sri Lanka Cynthia Castaldo-Walsh Nova Southeastern University, [email protected] This document is a product of extensive research conducted at the Nova Southeastern University College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. For more information on research and degree programs at the NSU College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, please click here. Follow this and additional works at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/shss_dcar_etd Part of the Community-Based Research Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, and the Philosophy Commons Share Feedback About This Item NSUWorks Citation Cynthia Castaldo-Walsh. 2019. Human-Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence in a More-than-Human World: A Multiple Case Study Exploring the Human-Elephant-Conservation Nexus in Namibia and Sri Lanka. Doctoral dissertation. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences – Department of Conflict Resolution Studies. (134) https://nsuworks.nova.edu/shss_dcar_etd/134. This Dissertation is brought to you by the CAHSS Theses and Dissertations at NSUWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of NSUWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Human-Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence in a More-than-Human World: A Multiple Case Study Exploring the Human-Elephant-Conservation Nexus in Namibia and Sri Lanka by Cynthia Castaldo-Walsh A Dissertation Presented to the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences of Nova Southeastern University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Nova Southeastern University 2019 Copyright © by Cynthia Castaldo-Walsh July 2019 Dedication I dedicate this journey to my sweet son, Paxton. You have both challenged and inspired me to look at life differently. You are a wise and compassionate soul beyond your years and a great source of hope for the future. May you always see and be guided by the connections that bind all living beings on Earth. I would also like to dedicate this journey to all who inhabit this world, humans and nonhuman animals alike. May we all continue to strive for peace, prosperity, and happiness individually and collectively. Finally, I would like to dedicate this journey to Voortrekker, the mighty and legendary bull elephant of the Namib who sadly lost his life to a trophy hunter just as this study was ending. May your legacy live on through your stories, the seeds you planted, and the passion you ignited. May your death not be in vain. Acknowledgments First, I would like to acknowledge my family for their unwavering support throughout this journey. To my husband, DJ, thank you for always encouraging me and being there when I could not be. Your patience, love, and commitment to our family are appreciated more than you will ever know. To Paxton, your hugs, kisses, and words of encouragement kept me going. I cannot wait to make up for all the missed days. Get your bucket list ready! I love you both. Thank you to my family who supported and encouraged me from afar. I would like to thank my dissertation chair, Dr. Ismael Muvingi, and committee members, Dr. Elena Bastidas and Dr. Robin Cooper. Without your patience, guidance, and support this would not have been possible. You have all played a major part in helping me get to where I am today, and for that I am eternally grateful. Thank you to my DCRS colleagues who have both inspired and encouraged me throughout this long journey. I am thankful for such amazing comrades. Rebecca Jean Allison, I appreciate your time, positive sentiments, and keen eye at the end. To my colleagues and friends at Decision Information Resources – thank you. I am so appreciative of your willingness to step in when I needed to step out. Your support and kindness have not gone unnoticed. A special thank you to Dr. Sylvia Epps and Dr. Russell Jackson for always challenging me to be a better researcher and providing ongoing opportunities for personal and professional growth, as well as providing the flexibility and support needed to get through this process. A very special thank you goes out to Elephant Human Relations Aid (EHRA) and the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society (SLWCS) for your support of this research and your commitment to creating a more peaceful world for all beings. I highly respect your dedication to the conservation of species and wild places, as well as the boundless energy spent on fostering positive relationships between humans and elephants. At EHRA, I would like to especially acknowledge Rachel Harris, Christophe Pitot, and Markus Shiweda for their guidance, assistance, and good will. Andreas, Mattias Sr., Mattias Jr., Christin, Adolf, and Victro, you all contributed greatly in many ways to my time in Namibia and for that I am forever grateful. At SLWCS, I would like to specifically acknowledge Chandima Fernando for being so amazingly supportive of my research and contributing his knowledge and expertise continuously and without question. Chinthaka Weerasinghe, Akila Weerakoon, Indika Sampath, Siriya, Asitha, Sarath, Vijay, Gamini, Swarna, and Leela – I am beyond appreciative for all that you do on a daily basis and for the many ways you contributed to making my time in Sri Lanka meaningful and productive. To Ravi Corea, I have not [yet] had the opportunity to meet you in person, but you are a true inspiration and champion for all who inhabit this amazing world. Table of Contents List of Tables .................................................................................................................. v List of Figures ................................................................................................................ vi Abstract ........................................................................................................................ viii Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ............................................................................... 1 Background of the Problem ....................................................................................... 2 Namibia ................................................................................................................. 5 Sri Lanka ............................................................................................................... 8 Theoretical and Methodological Foundation ........................................................... 11 Problem Statement ................................................................................................... 13 Rationale for the Study ............................................................................................ 14 Statement of Research Purpose ................................................................................ 16 Scope of the Study ................................................................................................... 17 Summary .................................................................................................................. 18 Chapter 2: Literature Review ........................................................................................ 19 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 19 More-Than-Human Paradigm: Theoretical Perspectives, Conceptual Frameworks, Methodological Considerations ......................................................... 21 Posthumanism ..................................................................................................... 21 Multispecies Research ........................................................................................ 22 Human-Animal Interaction Research ................................................................. 27 Ethnoelephantology ............................................................................................ 29 More-than-Human Considerations in Conflict Studies ....................................... 30 i Human-Wild Elephant-Conservation Nexus ........................................................... 32 Reframing the Human-Elephant Relationship .................................................... 32 Anthropocentric-Ecocentric Conservation .......................................................... 33 Moving the Needle: Conflict to Coexistence ...................................................... 36 Chapter 3: Methodology ............................................................................................... 38 Research Design ....................................................................................................... 38 Research Questions .................................................................................................. 40 Case Selection .......................................................................................................... 41 Data Collection ........................................................................................................ 44 Sampling, Gaining Access, and Recruitment ..................................................... 45 Participant Observation ......................................................................................