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Biodiversity is becoming scarce at the start of this third millennium because of human activities, which have already led to the disappearance of many species. Many more species are threatened to extinction in the short or medium term. This threat leads scientists devoted to conservation biology to use new disciplines such as ecophysiology to strengthen species conservation efforts. This thesis presents a first attempt to apply the principles of ecophysiology to forest elephants (Loxodonta Africana cyclotis). This biological model was chosen both because of its emblematic character and because these endangered species raid and damage crops. This thesis integrates ecophysiology into elephant conservation efforts through two dimensions: a theoretical and an experimental. In the first part which covers the theoretical dimension and involves all elephant species, the thesis reviews the concept of animal ecophysiology. Results from bibliographic investigations reveal disagreements among specialists in the definition of animal ecophysiology. In this thesis we consider animal ecophysiology as the science that studies the resilience ability of animals and mechanisms governing their physiology and behavior within their natural environments. It is characterized by the simultaneous use of many techniques such those from molecular biology, endocrinology or nutrition. With regard to elephants, results show that crop raiding by itself is a multidimensional threat that complicates the implementation of strategies for conserving these animals. The experimental part of this thesis involves only forest elephants. Results first reveal that food selection by elephants might be influenced by their parasitic status and not stress hormone levels. Next, our research shows that the presence of fruiting trees may increase crop damage by elephants. However, deterrence methods in farm areas tend to decrease crop damage by elephants. These results also highlight the fact that steep fields might limit elephant movements and prevent them from damaging crops. Our research also show that beehives can only be effective as long-term elephant deterrents when they are occupied by densely populated bee colonies, which are active and able to cope with the small hive beetle pest. In addition, we have demonstrated that to effectively use chili pepper as a deterrent it is necessary to use technics and/or apparatus that target the animal face which seems to be the most sensitive elephant body part toward chili pepper. Therefore, this thesis is a step forward in the use of animal ecophysiology principles for the study and conservation of elephants. It presents news data on the understanding of factors that might underlie crop damage by elephants. It highlights mechanisms that govern interactions between elephants and their environment, and the influence of physiology and health in their food selections. This thesis is also a progress in the ability of developing and implementing mitigation strategies against elephant crop raiders, for the benefit of these animals' conservation.