What is a Human-Wildlife Conflict?

Conservationists use the term "human-wildlife conflict" for situations in which wildlife threaten human safety, livelihoods or recreation.

For example, bears, monkeys and elephants sometimes damage houses and apiaries, forage in orchards and crop fields, or kill livestock. For another example, many carnivores are believed to compete with human hunters for prey or game. Human-wildlife conflict can extend even to sharks, seals and birds eating the fish sought by people. The most tragic examples of human-wildlife conflict occur when wildlife attack humans themselves. This results in hundreds of fatalities each year around the world.

Conservationists have become increasingly concerned with human-wildlife conflicts because affected communities often retaliate against wildlife and oppose conservation. This can undermine endangered species protections and the integrity of protected areas. indiscriminate retaliation may also eliminate non-target wild animals or degrade wildlife habitat.