Welfare of Animals in Human-Wildlife Conflict

Human-wildlife conflict is a significant driver of wild animal death and suffering globally, with solutions that balance human safety and animal welfare increasingly available.

Key Facts

Human-elephant conflict kills approximately 500 humans and 200 elephants annually in Africa and Asia
Livestock predation by large carnivores drives retaliatory killing that threatens tiger, lion, and wolf populations
Beehive fences have reduced elephant crop raiding by over 80% in tested communities in Kenya
Livestock guardian dogs reduce predation losses and associated carnivore killing in ranching contexts
Human-wildlife conflict is the leading cause of large carnivore persecution globally

Welfare Considerations

Human-wildlife conflict welfare involves both human safety and animal welfare. Retaliatory killing of elephants, lions, and tigers for crop and livestock losses kills animals that are often family group members — causing secondary deaths of dependent young and social disruption. Non-lethal deterrents that address the source of conflict (crop protection, livestock guarding) reduce both human losses and animal persecution simultaneously. Community benefit programs that give local people economic stakes in wildlife conservation are the most sustainable solutions.

What You Can Do

Support Cheetah Conservation Fund livestock guarding dog programs
Donate to African Wildlife Foundation beehive fence and human-wildlife conflict programs
Advocate for compensation programs that reward communities for tolerating wildlife losses
Learn about specific conflict hotspots and the solutions organizations are testing in those regions