International Conference on Human-Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence

April 1, 2023

The ongoing Conference on Human-Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence aims to tackle the complex issue of conflicts between humans and wildlife that have resulted in a loss of biodiversity and harm to both humans and animals. With the conference being held from March 30 to April 1, 2023, in Oxford, United Kingdom, experts from various fields such as ecology, animal behavior, psychology, law, conflict analysis, mediation, peacebuilding, international development, economics, and anthropology are convening to find ways to promote coexistence.

Understanding the Problem

More than 75% of the world’s wild cat species are affected by conflict-related killing, and several organizations such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the UN Development Programme, and others are working together to promote coexistence between humans and wildlife.

Facilitating Dialogue and Learning

One of the action points identified by the experts attending the conference is facilitating dialogue and learning among stakeholders. By engaging with communities that have been directly affected by human-wildlife conflict, experts can gain insights into the local context and come up with effective solutions to minimize conflicts.

Generating Interdisciplinary Understanding

The conference also aims to generate interdisciplinary understanding to address human-wildlife conflict. By bringing together experts from various fields, the conference aims to develop a holistic approach to promoting coexistence and minimizing conflicts.

Mainstreaming Human-Wildlife Conflict

To promote coexistence, human-wildlife conflict needs to be mainstreamed into policy-making and conservation strategies. By integrating human-wildlife conflict into conservation efforts, stakeholders can address the root causes of conflicts and promote coexistence.

Identifying a Collective Way Forward

The conference also aims to identify a collective way forward to promote coexistence. By developing shared goals and strategies, stakeholders can work together to promote coexistence between humans and wildlife.

The IUCN Guidelines on Human-Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence

One of the highlights of the conference is the release of the IUCN SSC Guidelines on Human-Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence. The guidelines encompass both the social and ecological aspects of human-wildlife conflict and provide a clear steer on how to manage complex situations. They provide a clear direction on how to manage complex situations and inform the formulation of new policies and community-led action strategies for achieving coexistence with wildlife in any context.

The UN Biodiversity Conference and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

Target 4 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework focuses on effective management of human-wildlife interactions to promote coexistence and biodiversity protection. The UN Biodiversity Conference is where Target 4 was agreed, highlighting the global effort to promote coexistence between humans and wildlife.

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