Human-Wildlife Conflict Redefined

Five years ago, if you heard the words “human-wildlife conflict” (or HWC) the first thing that probably came to mind was the challenges agriculturalists in range countries face coexisting with native fauna.  Maybe you thought about the struggle between Namibian goat herders and cheetahs or East African farmers protecting their crops from raiding elephants.  In short, humans had what animals wanted.  No doubt those types of incidences still exist, but the overall dynamic of human-wildlife conflicts have changed, and therefore need redefined. Perhaps the first thing we should change is our way of thinking; how we view conflict between man …

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The Changing Face of Poaching

In the past, poaching of wildlife for bushmeat or sale of animal products was typically carried out by people living locally to wildlife habitats.  Particularly in severely impoverished areas, poaching was done to feed and support families.  In the last few years the face of poaching has changed.  Poaching has become very sophisticated utilizing GPS, helicopters, and tranquilizers instead of tracking animals on foot and using snares or automatic weapons.  Rangers, veterinarians, and researchers who have sworn to protect and conserve vulnerable and endangered species are the very ones who are now participating in their demise.  Carcasses are left to …

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The Ivory War Continues: 22 Years After the Ban

2011 was considered the bloodiest year for elephants since 1989, the same year the ivory ban began.  Confiscated ivory from illegal sales estimate over 3000 elephants were killed by poachers to fuel the black market demand; and that is just what was found.  In a single month, Malaysian authorities seized over $1.3 million US worth of ivory that was being shipped out of Kenya and into Cambodia.  It is well documented that the illegal trade in wildlife and their parts is a multi-billion dollar a year business; third only behind drugs and weapons trafficking.  Trade in rhino horn and tiger …

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