<![CDATA[Human–elephant conflict in Tesso Nilo National Park (TNTN) continues to increase along with habitat loss and land-use expansion. This study aims to identify elephant habitat characteristics, land-cover dynamics, conflict distribution, dominant environmental variables, and model potential conflict distribution. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining MaxEnt modeling based on eight environmental variables using 130 conflict occurrence points (2018–2024) and in-depth interviews with two mahouts at TNTN. Satellite imagery analysis shows that TNTN’s natural forests declined drastically during 2003–2024, while oil palm and industrial timber plantations now dominate more than 78% of the landscape. The MaxEnt model demonstrated good performance (AUC = 0.884), with dominant factors being distance from settlements (34.4%), elevation (27.3%), and distance from rivers (15.9%). High-conflict probability areas were concentrated in lowland zones near rivers and settlements, which represent both preferred elephant habitats and regions of intense human activity.High-risk conflict areas cover 46,381.64 ha, mainly in Pangkalan Kuras, Langgam, and Ukui. The findings highlight the urgency of restoring habitat connectivity through ecological corridors, strengthen buffer zone management, and strengthening cross-sectoral mitigation to support long-term conservation of the Sumatran elephant.Konflik antara Gajah Sumatera (Elephas maximus sumatranus) dan manusia di sekitar Taman Nasional Tesso Nilo (TNTN) terus meningkat seiring penyusutan habitat dan ekspansi penggunaan lahan. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengidentifikasi karakteristik habitat gajah, dinamika tutupan lahan, sebaran konflik, variabel lingkungan dominan, serta memodelkan potensi persebaran konflik. Pendekatan mixed methods digunakan melalui pemodelan MaxEnt berbasis delapan variabel lingkungan dengan 130 titik kehadiran konflik (2018–2024) dan wawancara mendalam bersama dua mahout TNTN. Analisis citra satelit menunjukkan hutan alami TNTN menyusut drastis pada 2003–2024, sementara perkebunan sawit dan HTI mendominasi lebih dari 78% lanskap. Model MaxEnt menunjukkan performa baik (AUC = 0,884) dengan faktor dominan konflik berupa jarak dari permukiman (34,4%), ketinggian (27,3%), dan jarak dari sungai (15,9%). Probabilitas konflik tinggi terkonsentrasi pada area dataran rendah dekat sungai dan permukiman, yang merupakan habitat preferensial gajah sekaligus kawasan dengan aktivitas manusia intensif. Sebaran konflik berisiko tinggi mencakup 46.381,64 ha, terutama di Kecamatan Pangkalan Kuras, Langgam, dan Ukui. Hasil penelitian menegaskan urgensi pemulihan konektivitas habitat melalui koridor ekologis, pengelolaan lanskap penyangga, serta penguatan mitigasi lintas sektor untuk mendukung konservasi jangka panjang Gajah Sumatera.]]>
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