Urban Animals

Urban Wildlife and Human Conflict Mitigation

As cities expand into wildlife habitat, conflicts between humans and animals are increasing — but most can be resolved with evidence-based approaches.

Key Facts

Urban wildlife conflicts cause millions of animals to be killed annually
Coyotes, raccoons, bears, and foxes are increasingly common in cities
Most conflicts arise from human behavior including intentional and unintentional feeding
Non-lethal deterrence methods are effective in over 90% of cases
Lethal removal typically fails as replacement animals occupy the vacancy

Welfare Considerations

The welfare dimension of urban wildlife conflict is significant: animals killed for conflicts that non-lethal methods would have prevented, and individuals displaced, injured, or killed as cities expand. Education programs that change human behavior are more effective and more welfare-positive than reactive killing. Coexistence infrastructure — wildlife crossings, secure waste containers, exclusion fencing — yields durable results.

What You Can Do

Never intentionally feed urban wildlife, which creates dangerous associations
Use wildlife-proof containers for garbage to reduce attractants
Contact wildlife coexistence organizations before requesting lethal removal
Advocate for coexistence-first policies in your local government