KOMUNIKASI PERSUASIF ELEPHANT FLYING SQUAD DALAM MEMINIMALISIR KONFLIK ANTARA MANUSIA DAN GAJAH SUMATERA DI TAMAN NASIONAL TESSO NILO PELALAWAN

Abstract

Elephant Flying Squad is a conflict mitigation team consisting of four elephants, two males, two females and 8 mahouts . This team has been operated since 26 April 2004 and placed in Lubuk Kembang Bunga Village, Ukui District, Pelalawan Regency, Riau Province. In carrying out its duties and functions, the team uses persuasive communication to the public by providing information, socialization, and giving examples to minimize conflict with elephants. This research goal is knowing the credibility of persuader, persuasive messages, communication channels, and effects of persuasive communication which done by the Elephant Flying Squad to minimizing conflict between human and Sumatran elephants in Tesso Nilo National Park.
This research uses descriptive qualitative research method. The subjects involved in this research are chosen based on purposive sampling technique consist of Communication Module Leader of WWF Indonesia Central Sumatra, Elephant Flying Squad Mahout, and people of Lubuk Kembang Bunga Village. Data collection techniques include in-depth interviews, observation and documentation. Data analysis techniques using interactive data Miles model and Huberman with the validity checking of the data is done by using extension participation techniques and triangulation.
The results shows that Elephant Flying Squad has credibility as a persuader which is expertness with 6 months training, experience discussion about conflict mitigation, being responsible and dedicating to work and care with elephant existence. Second, it is trust worthiness, the team always do routine patrols for conflict mitigation and drive away the wild elephants and also have quick response if there is report from people. Persuasive messages that used is verbal messages including clarity, assignment and accuracy. While the nonverbal messages by giving some lessons of conflict mitigation, expulsion and practice the way of making a mitigation tool. Communication channels used is personal channels (direct communication) and non personal (mass media). Effect of persuasive communication that appeared is cognitions, affections, and conations.
Keywords: Persuasive Communication, Elephant Flying Squad, Communication Model of Applebeum and Anatol