Feature advisory: Human-wildlife conflict

Posted on October, 16 2003

Human-wildlife conflict is one of the main threats to the continued survival of many species, in many parts of the world. This media advisory gives brief information on different animals that come into conflict with humans and work to mitigate this conflict.
As human populations expand and natural habitats shrink, people and animals are increasingly coming into conflict over living space and food. The impacts are often huge. People lose their crops, livestock, property, and sometimes their lives. The animals, many of which are already threatened or endangered, are killed in retaliation or to 'prevent' future conflicts. Human-wildlife conflict is one of the main threats to the continued survival of many species, in many parts of the world.
 
Solutions
WWF and its partners have a number of projects around the world to reduce human-wildlife conflict and improve the livelihoods of the people affected. The solutions are often specific to the species or area concerned, and are often creative and simple. An important aspect of the work is that it benefits both the animals and local human communities, and actively involves these communities. In most cases, the work has led to people being more enthusiastic and supportive of conservation, and has demonstrated that people can live alongside wildlife while developing sustainable livelihoods.
 
What you will find in this advisory
* Brief information on different animals that come into conflict with humans and work to mitigate this conflict:

• Asian and African elephant
• Greater one-horned rhino
• Tiger
• Snow leopard and Central Asian leopard
• Jaguar
• Mediterranean monk seal
• Golden jackal
• Brown bear, Eurasian lynx, wolf, and bearded vulture

* Links to further online information
* Description of resources available from WWF for different animals and projects (images, footage, audio clips)
* Contact details for WWF experts in different parts of the world
Snow leopard (Uncia uncia), one of the many species that comes into conflict with humans.
© WWF / KLEIN & HUBERT