Human–wildlife conflict has classically been defined as a situation where wildlife impacts humans negatively (physically, economically, or psychologically), and where humans likewise negatively impact wildlife. However, there is growing consensus in the human–wildlife conflict community that the conflict between people about wildlife is as much a part of human–wildlife conflict as is the conflict between people and wildlife. Human–wildlife conflict not only affects the conservation of one species in a certain geographic area but also impacts an individual’s, community’s, and society’s desire t ... More

Human–wildlife conflict has classically been defined as a situation where wildlife impacts humans negatively (physically, economically, or psychologically), and where humans likewise negatively impact wildlife. However, there is growing consensus in the human–wildlife conflict community that the conflict between people about wildlife is as much a part of human–wildlife conflict as is the conflict between people and wildlife. Human–wildlife conflict not only affects the conservation of one species in a certain geographic area but also impacts an individual’s, community’s, and society’s desire to support conservation programs in general. This book explores the complexity inherent in situations where such conflict plays a role in influencing human actions. The book covers theory, principles, and practical applications of human–wildlife conflict work, making it accessible and usable for conservation practitioners, as well as of interest to researchers more concerned with a theoretical approach to the subject. Through a series of case studies exploring everything from marine mammals to marine protected areas, the book tackles a wide variety of subjects relating to conflict, from the challenges of wicked problems and common-pool resources to the roles that storytelling and religion can play in conflict. Throughout the book, the text also works through a conservation conflict transformation lens, using the levels of conflict model as an analytical tool to provide insight into its case studies. Although the examples focus on marine conservation, the lessons it provides are applicable to a wide variety of conservation issues, including those in the terrestrial realm.