Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation Advances

Human-wildlife conflict is a major driver of wildlife suffering globally. Innovative mitigation approaches are reducing conflict while improving outcomes for both people and wildlife.

Key Facts

Human-wildlife conflict affects over 75% of the world's large carnivore and elephant range
Livestock predation by large carnivores causes significant economic losses and retaliatory killing
Electric fencing, livestock guardian dogs, and predator-proof corrals reduce livestock losses substantially
Bee hive fences have successfully deterred elephants from crop raiding in Africa
Community-based conservation that shares wildlife benefits with local people reduces retaliatory killing

Welfare Considerations

Human-wildlife conflict causes immense suffering for wildlife - through retaliatory killing, snaring, and poisoning - and for people whose livelihoods are threatened. Mitigation approaches that reduce livestock losses simultaneously reduce the motivation for retaliatory killing. The most effective interventions combine physical deterrents with economic incentives for coexistence, such as wildlife compensation schemes and tourism revenue sharing. Changing human behavior requires understanding local contexts and building trust with communities who bear the costs of living alongside wildlife.

What You Can Do

Support organizations working on human-wildlife coexistence solutions
Donate to predator-proof corral and livestock guardian dog programs
Advocate for wildlife compensation schemes that make coexistence economically viable
Learn about local human-wildlife conflict issues and support community-based solutions