Geography and wildlife issues

Abstract

In recent years, we have seen remarkable problems with wildlife in Japan such as damage to agricultural crops done by wild boar, sika deer, Japanese macaques, and crows. And we have experienced notable ecological damage as well as damage to human livelihood from introduced animals such as raccoons, nutria, and feral livestock (goats, pigs, inobuta) in Japan as well. The annual cost of agricultural damage done by wild boar, sika deer, Japanese macaques, and crows are estimated at around ¥6.8 billion, ¥7.8 billion, ¥1.9 billion, and ¥2.3 billion respectively in 2010. The annual cost of agricultural damage by raccoons and nutria are estimated at around ¥350 million and ¥100 million respectively in 2010. We can recognize that human activities such as increasing abandonment of cultivated land, and clumps of bamboo, have encouraged the recent invasion by wild animals. This invasion of wild animals also occurs due to decreasing rural manpower through the recent aging of society. Many cases of introduced-animal problems also happen through human activities such as the release of pets and livestock, rough keeping of pets and livestock, etc. These wildlife issues have become current topics socially as well as in the academic world. In geography, humans and wildlife have been an important theme. Consequently, the recent wildlife issues are a typical theme of geography. Wildlife issues are also good geographical teaching materials. The recent wildlife issues are also practical problems that require countermeasures. Geographical approaches that contribute to this problem are full of potential and are necessary today.