Urban expansion brings humans into increasing contact with wildlife. Learning to coexist with urban wildlife reduces conflict, prevents harm to animals, and maintains biodiversity in cities.
Urban wildlife welfare is shaped by the design decisions made in cities: road layouts, lighting standards, building design, green space provision, and pest control practices. Individual animals in urban areas are often in good body condition but face specific mortality risks from vehicles, cats, rodenticide poisoning, and building strikes. Coexistence approaches that reduce these risks -- wildlife crossings, raptor-safe rodent control, dark sky lighting, and wildlife-friendly gardens -- improve welfare while maintaining urban biodiversity that benefits human mental health and ecological resilience.