Module 13-Human Wildlife Conflict

• what is human wildlife conflict?

  wildlife's needs for food and habitat overlap with needs for human populations, both experience negative impact
• how does human population growth increase conflict?

  • animals have greater exposure and less fear of humans
  • housing developments cause habitat destruction
• how does ecotourism increase conflict?

  tourists don't understand animal behavior
• how do successful conservation programs increase conflict?

  • reintroduced populations can be seen as nuisances
  • growing populations can cause resource competition, crop raiding
• how do humans perceive wolves vs. coyotes?

  see wolves as the main killer of sheep even though coyotes are the greatest threat
• pre-emptive land use planning to reduce conflict: land bridges lead migratory animals across roadways
• reactive land-use planning: triggered by conflict, requires sufficient data on wildlife interactions
• mitigating human-wildlife conflict:

  • financial compensation
  • community based natural resource management: ex. ecotourism
• what has typically been the first choice to manage wildlife in conflict?

  eradication
• eradication: targets invasive or pest species/individuals, can effect ecosystem function
• regulated harvest: may have effects on social groups in keystone predators, ecosystem effect
• relocation: requires expertise and equipment
• creation of preserves and sanctuaries: can displace local communities
• how are guard dogs a non-lethal deterrent?

  predators know dogs come with hunters
• how are range rides non-lethal deterrent?

  look for signs of animal inhabitants
• how was conflict prevented with bengal tigers?

  wearing mask on back of head
• how was conflict prevented with sharks?

  wetsuits designed to blend into environment
• how was conflict prevented with elephants?

  chili grease to deter from crop areas
• how have elephant social structures changed with habitat separation?

  allow in more outsiders
• matriarchs show ability to influence herd decisions
• intelligence in elephants:

  • don't challenge their standing in the group
  • play behavior as adults
• male elephant social behavior: solitary as adults but still have memory of their herd