Human-wildlife conflict is a global challenge that causes enormous animal welfare harm — evidence-based coexistence tools can protect both human interests and animal lives.
Human-wildlife conflict represents one of the most significant welfare problems for wild animal populations — retaliatory killing of predators following livestock losses drives population decline for species already under pressure from habitat loss. The welfare harm is direct: individual lions, wolves, leopards, and bears killed in retaliation for genuine or suspected livestock predation. The solutions are known and evidence-based: physical barriers, guardian animals, behavioral deterrents, early warning systems, and compensation programs have all demonstrated effectiveness in reducing conflict and retaliatory killing. Scaling these solutions requires investment, cultural engagement, and political will to prioritize coexistence over lethal conflict management.