Addressing the global challenge of human-wildlife conflict

The Convention on Biological Diversity’s 2050 Vision of “Living in Harmony with Nature” envisages a world in which “humanity lives in harmony with nature and in which wildlife and other living species are protected.” However, human-wildlife conflicts are an increasingly serious and widespread concern for communities and governments around the world. Much media and political attention is drawn to conflicts involving large, iconic wildlife species such as elephants, large cats, bears, crocodiles and sharks, which require large areas reaching beyond the boundaries of protected areas. To enable nature-friendly agriculture and ensure food security alongside biodiversity conservation, we need to look closely at how communities can live safely and sustainably alongside wildlife. Locally as well as globally, human-wildlife conflict is rapidly escalating to a point where it triggers deeper-rooted divisions and conflicts over access, benefit sharing, social change and inequalities.