By: Peter Darblo
Gbaryama, Liberia — Farmers in Gbaryama and Karlo towns, located in Bopolu District, Gbarpolu County, are raising urgent concerns over repeated invasions by wild elephants that have devastated local farms, jeopardizing food security and deepening economic hardship in the region.
For the past two farming seasons, residents of these forest-fringed communities have suffered significant crop losses, with elephants trampling and consuming essential staples such as cassava, plantains, peanuts, bananas, and vegetables. Local estimates place the damage at over 150,000 Liberian dollars, leaving many families struggling to recover.
“Last year, we planted large peanut and cassava farms, but the elephants destroyed everything in just two days,” said Varjah Kamara, co-chair of the Nenela Women’s Group in Gbaryama. “We were too afraid to farm this year. Farming is how we support our children’s education and feed our families.”
Mr. Folley Kamara, a veteran farmer from Karlo, added that the elephants often move in groups and invade farmland at night, leaving destruction in their wake.
“We’ve complained many times to the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), but nothing has changed,” he said. “The elephants are ruining our lives, and since we’re told not to harm them, what are we supposed to do?”
The crisis highlights the growing tension between wildlife conservation and rural livelihoods in Liberia’s forested zones. Gbarpolu County, home to rich biodiversity and bordering protected areas, has seen a rise in human-wildlife conflict in recent years. Experts point to deforestation, mining activities, and climate shifts as key factors forcing elephants and other wildlife closer to human settlements in search of food and habitat.
“Elephants are vital to forest ecosystems, but their movements into farmland are signs that their natural habitat is under threat,” said an independent environmental analyst familiar with the region. “Without integrated landscape management and community-based conservation, both wildlife and rural livelihoods will continue to suffer.”
In response to the community’s concerns, Boimah Rick, Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer with the FDA, confirmed that efforts are underway to address the issue through non-lethal deterrent strategies.
“We’ve trained farmers across Gbarpolu and nearby areas in methods such as the paper brick technique, chili fencing, and noise deterrents,” Rick said. “These approaches have shown results in some communities, but more resources are needed to expand training and provide essential materials.”
Rick encouraged affected farmers to continue using the techniques taught in the workshops and reassured them that the FDA is working with both government and international conservation partners to scale up support.
“Our goal is to ensure that communities can farm and live safely without threatening endangered wildlife,” he added.
