Human-Wildlife Conflict worldwide: collection of case studies, analysis of management strategies and good practices

Abstract

Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) is fast becoming a serious threat to the survival of many endangered species in theworld. The case studies from countries all over the world demonstrate the severity of the conflict and suggest thatgreater in depth analysis of the conflict is needed in order to avoid overlooking the problem and undermining theconservation of threatened and potentially endangered species.This report provides an insight into the HWC issue, based on a selection of relevant case studies and gathers togetherthe key lessons learned. This is a comprehensive review covering a wide array of the available literature on wildmammal-human conflict, with the exception of human-elephant, written over the last ten years. It highlights commonproblems and solutions across bio-geographical regions in order to provide a better understanding of the HWC issueworldwide. It also shows that these conflicts have similar causes and impacts, and that accurate and detailedinformation, scientific research and stakeholder commitment are key to the development of appropriate and sustainablestrategies for both resolving the problem and conserving different ecosystems and their wildlife inhabitants.The case studies illustrate that HWC is a growing global problem, which is not restricted to particular geographicalregions or climatic conditions, but is common to all areas where wildlife and human population coexist and sharelimited resources. Dense human populations in close vicinity to nature reserves seem to pose the greatest challenges inmany countries. Conflicts become more intense where livestock holdings and agriculture are an important part of rurallivelihoods. Competition between rural communities and wild animals over natural resources is more intense indeveloping countries, where local human populations tend to suffer higher costs.Considering the current human population growth rate, increasing demand for resources and the growing demand foraccess to land, it is clear that human wildlife conflicts will not be eradicated in the near future. For this reason a betterunderstanding of conflict management options is crucial. The second part of the report reviews a collection ofmanagement practices currently used under diverse demographic, economic and social circumstances; it highlights thecosts, benefits and constraints of each option and identifies which techniques could be best implemented under similarconditions.The review reveals thatthe problem is multifaceted: some management practices are ineffective, others are financiallyunsustainable or too technologically complex and costly for underprivileged rural communities to adopt. However,HWC can be minimized through good management practices and approaches involving low cost technologies. Anumber of innovative strategies, such as electric fencing, natural resource use compensation systems, community basednatural resource management schemes and incentive and insurance programmes also seem to be sustainable and shouldbe scaled up.The study recommends two different approaches to resolving HWC: short-term mitigation tools need to be combinedwith longer-term preventive strategies, along with techniques that are effective with diverse species. When lowenvironmental impact strategies and traditional low cost deterrents are not effective, more invasive approaches such asregulated harvesting, wildlife translocation or human relocation should be considered. Irrespective of the approachesadopted, there is a need to implement those designed specifically for local species and if possible these should beempirically tested for cost-effectiveness and any potentially negative impacts on the ecosystem equilibrium.The report provides practical recommendations to better design future HWC interventions and improve already existingtechniques. The most sustainable approaches should ensure the development of a local economy derived partially fromwildlife and the revenue collection from nature reserves, as well as a reduction in the vulnerability of rural communitiesto depredation by wildlife. In order to make wildlife protection more effective, conservation should be based on soundscientific knowledge, combined with indigenous knowledge, practical local knowledge and collaboration. Integratedcommunity development and wildlife conservation promoted by both national park managers and local populations isthe desired scenario. Community-based conservation should give local residents the right to limited and sustainable useof natural resources while promoting tolerance towards wildlife, responsible interaction with their natural environmentand the recognition of the value or natural heritages.In conclusion, protected areas and the presence of wild animal populations inflict costs on local communities. In turn,local residents can develop negative attitudes towards reserves and wildlife, exacerbating the conflict and underminingconservation efforts. In order to break this cycle, there is a need to protect rural livelihoods, reduce their vulnerability,counterbalance losses with benefits and foster community-based conservation. Both people and wildlife suffer tangibleconsequences and the different stakeholders involved should commit themselves to tackle and resolve such conflicts inthe future