Nature films can transform attitudes towards elephants, study reveals

The charity, whose principal research station is at the Samburu National Reserve in northern Kenya tried and discovered that nature films like the award-winning ‘The Elephant Queen’ wield power to change human attitudes towards elephants in marginalized communities.

A new study by Save the Elephants - one of the sponsors of ‘The Elephant Queen Outreach Programme, revealed that nature films could be impactful in dealing with the ‘increasing problem’ of human-elephant conflict (HEC).

According to the study, 86.7 per cent of community viewers between the ages of 16 to 85 noted an alteration in their attitudes toward elephants after watching the film.

Additionally, 79 per cent of the viewers remained confident that their relationships with elephants would change in the future, and 88.4 per cent maintained that the film could affect how rural communities relate with elephants.

The study also indicated that the film hugely influenced the younger generations, especially among Kenyan students, noting that disseminating ‘educational content’ like the film could promote a positive view of elephants.

“Students aged between 16-18 surveyed said they gained knowledge and affection towards elephants and felt the benefits of elephants more keenly after viewing ‘The Elephant Queen’” read the study.

The study that targeted communities residing around national parks indicated that the film sought to change human attitudes toward elephants such as encountering them in violent reactions and lack of awareness concerning their positive contributions.

According to the study: “Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) is an increasing problem in rural Africa as elephants and humans compete for resources, resulting in crop damage and loss of life,” 

“As a result, local communities often encounter elephants through intense or violent interactions, lacking awareness of the positive contributions these animals offer and rarely witnessing their natural behavior in the wild. Films like ‘The Elephant Queen’ have the potential to alter this narrative.”

Upon watching the film, adults deeply resonated with the challenges they encounter living with elephants. However, they also acquired knowledge and appreciated the benefits elephants bring.

Of the 36.2 per cent of community viewers and 47.6 per cent of school viewers became concerned about losing elephants, citing blame on poaching, drought, and not caring for them. 

A follow-up survey three months later disclosed that adults gradually increased their affection towards elephants, which the study attributed to young and old community members actively discussing the film.

The film, ‘The Elephant Queen’ depicts the lives of a Tsavo elephant herd led by matriarch Athena showing their struggles like surviving the drought season and highlighting their crucial roles towards other species.