The Eternal Human-Wildlife Conflict

Introduction

Sworn enemies

The conflict between human and wildlife populations has a long history dated back to the prehistoric man (Berger & McGraw, 2007, Lee-Thorp et. al., 2000). +++ Consequently, the co-existence looks an impossible task. Instead of decreasing it is proven that there is an increasing interaction (Conover, 1994).

A universal problem

Human-Wildlife conflict is defined by the interaction between wild animals and people. This conflict has negative effects for both sides. Humanity's resources and lives are threatened every day, as well as, fauna's survival and habitat.

In every place on earth where community is present, conflicts are occurred. Travelling to South Africa you will notice Chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) stealing human food supplies leading the residents to counteract those raids by hurting or even killing them (Kaplan et. al., 2011). Also, in Nepal rhinos (Rhinoceros unicornis) almost got extinct in 1968 due to poaching (Martin, 1992). Grey wolves (Canis lupus) and bears (Ursus arctus) in Slovakia cause damages on livestock (Rigg et. al., 2011). There are indirect interactions too, such as hunters-lynx's (Felis lynx).

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They are competing against each other on hare and deer hunting in Finnish fields (Liukkonen et. al., 2009). Hundreds of incidents can be mentioned across the world with people having troubles with wild animals. But is that the wildlife who should resolve this problem?

Wildlife knows no boundaries

Wildlife's boundary is Earth. It would be a horrible mistake to blame wild animals which in opposition to humans are not changing the environment around them. They are adjusting to it. Many of them lost their habitat and others were driven to extinction due to human's expansive policy (Tollefson, 2019).

This biodiversity crisis is man's burden to solve. Therefore peacemaking depends totally on humanity.

The earth's conqueror

While other species are facing the extinction we are increased by four billion since 1950 (Bongaarts, 2009). Humans as elitist and most intelligent beings try to be dominant all over the world and make a profit of nature's goods. Populations are spreading globally and the interaction with wildlife is inevitable. Everyone characterizes nature in his own terms and ignores its real value (Collard & Contrucci, 1989)

Who is the intruder?

Seeking for a true solution of this endless interaction is the problem of this research which focuses on better understanding the current situation. As a result a deeper fact analysis is essential. Specifically the people's damage to wildlife and the opposite will be indicated in order to be able to propose suggestions for this burning issue.

Analytical Part

Wildlife's damage to people

Crop damage

Crop damage by wildlife is one of the most common problems for the farmers who rely financially on the land use. Total crop losses can reach more than 50% in some villages (Rao et. al., 2002). Mostly herbivorous and omnivorous animals are using these food resources (Wang & Lassoie, 2006). Diet of several populations such as elephants (Loxodonta africana) in Uganda (Naughton-Treves, 1998), wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Spain (Herrero et. al., 2006), common cranes (Grus grus) in Sweden (Nilsson et. al., 2016) are depending on agricultural products. Basically they are sharing the same resources (Gadgil et al. 1993, Heinen 1993) because the agricultural areas replaced their old habitat.

Livestock depredation

Controlling and protecting the livestock from predators is a tough challenge for stockmen. Similarly to the crop owners, livestock operators are dependent on their annual production. For mountain lions (Puma concolor) in Nevada (Suminski, 1982), wolves and snow leopards (Uncia uncial) in India (Mishra, 1997), jaguars (Panthera oncaand) in Brazil (De Azevedo, 2008) livestock is a significant source of food. Predators are attracted by these resources because of the lack of preys in the wild and sometimes the livestock's vulnerability.

Fatalities and injuries

The fear of being killed by a carnivore or by a large herbivore is a big wound in human-wildlife relationship. Attacks on humans by bears, wolves and cats are reported (Woodroffe et. al., 2005). Every year hundreds are killed (Kruuk, 2002) and more are injured. In the 90s Kenya lost 250 lives by predators while 221 more were killed by elephants (Woodroffe et. al., 2005)

People's damage to wildlife

Habitat destruction

Wildlife's habitat loss or even destruction by humanity drives other species to extinction. Overgrazing, deforestation, mining, urbanization and cultivation are the main reasons (Mwalyosi, 1992). For instance, in Africa the current loss of wildlife habitat is above the half (Newmark & Hough, 2000). As a result of this policy wildlife is threatened, species facing difficulties to adapt to this rapid changes and their population is threatened.

Fatalities and injuries

Farmers trying to protect their farms and livestock are harming wildlife. Thousands of wild animals are injured or shot to death in order to stop "bothering" crop producers or livestock operators. Moreover, hunters are violating the law and decreasing dangerously animal populations (Bennett et. al., 2002). More than 40 million bay duikers (Cephalophus dorsalis) and blue duikers (Philantomba monticola) are killed in Central Africa (Fa & Peres, 2001) leading to forests unsustainability (Bennet, 2002).

Climate change

Wildlife has to deal, also, with humanity's self-destructive behavior. Greenhouse effect and global warming leads to a slow and certain death for all of us. Environmental pollution affects wild animals (Guenther et. al., 2011) and the high temperature levels test ectotherms' survival skills (Kearney et. al., 2009).

Discussion

As it was expected we cannot answer in such a wide topic with specific suggestions for each case. Human-wildlife coexistence needs a conscious policy which will provide a beneficial relationship amongst them.

Land use planning should be carefully made in order to link wildlife's habitat and allow the access for bigger mammals (Soule, 1991).