Wildlife conflicts with humans happen all over the world. While it is easy to rightfully become angry with poachers and people who harm wildlife, most of the time, the reasons people do so have to do with their livelihoods, their pets, and their families, or because they don’t have the correct information! There are so many ways we can help prevent wildlife conflict both here and across the world, and much of it starts with educating ourselves so we can help others understand too!
Wolves are an excellent example here in the United States:
Wolves were hunted to near extinction and were targeted by people who wanted to hunt them for their pelts, by those who were worried about wolves being in “human areas,” and by livestock farmers who were having trouble losing their cattle.
With wild/night riders (people on horseback paid to deter predators), flashing and motion sensing lights to scare predators, sounds/scents that deter them, and large dogs and even donkeys that act as livestock guardians, it was often discovered that the wolves were taking the blame for feral dogs' dirty work!
When the livestock was killed by a wolf, who generally hunt MUCH smaller prey like rabbits and deer, farmers were provided payment for proven wolf kills. All of these measures helped prevent so many wolves from being killed and their numbers are increasing in the United States as we speak, with repopulation measures happening with the help of scientists! Wolves are so important in their native ecosystems because they encourage herbivores to move around frequently to avoid predation. When herbivores have no natural predators they will overgraze the land, especially near rivers and streams.
Overgrazing and herbivore overpopulation create problems like:
Soil erosion, which widens and muddies the rivers, causing issues with fish populations.
Limiting accessible clean water for wildlife and people.
Increasing the spread of diseases among herbivores as sick animals who would usually be hunted out of the population are left to spread illness throughout a herd.
Learn more about wolf/human conflict here:
Cheetahs:
In a similar thread but across the world from us here in Georgia, Cheetahs are facing many of the same issues as wolves! There are incredible programs that help keep people and livestock safe, while protecting the Cheetahs as well. Cheetah Dogs are Livestock guardians specifically trained to help keep cheetahs away which helps protect them from being killed for attacking livestock.
Learn more about cheetah/human conflict here:
Right in your own back yard you may have experienced an issue with a predator:
Foxes are well known for breaking into chicken coops! These sly foxes have nothing against you, they just see an easy meal, like smelling Burger King on your way home and knowing you could just stop by and grab a quick and easy snack! Some proven deterrents to help save your chickens and protect foxes include:
Using finer/sturdier mesh than the traditional "chicken wire"
Ensuring your coop is properly sealed at all entry points
Flood lights with motion sensors
Larger predator aroma to deter the foxes (which can be purchased at hunting stores!)
Livestock guardians - Using alpaca, llama, donkey, or emu as livestock guardians to keep foxes, coyotes, etc. out of fields/coops is a common practice!
Learn more about fox/human conflict here: https://www.wect.com/story/24460050/apacas-and-emus-being-used-as-guarddogs-to-keep-coyotes-away/?outputType=amp
While human-animal conflict will never go away, but there are so many wonderful ways to live with wildlife instead of working against them, and create safe homes for people and animals alike!
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