Wildlife in conflict zones faces unique challenges including habitat destruction, disruption of migration routes, opportunistic hunting and the loss of the conservation infrastructure needed to protect populations.
Wildlife welfare in conflict zones is profoundly affected by both direct harm from opportunistic hunting and indirect harm from the collapse of conservation infrastructure that normally monitors and protects populations. Individual animals suffer from increased predation, habitat destruction and persecution as armed groups exploit wildlife resources. The stress of disrupted territory, reduced food availability and novel threats causes welfare harm at population scale. Conservation in conflict zones requires exceptional bravery from rangers and staff, whose own welfare must also be considered. International support for conflict-zone conservation — both financial and political — is a welfare investment that prevents preventable animal suffering at potentially large scale.