November 04, 2024
Author: Trésor Daniel MEFIRE
Country: Cameroon
Photo credit: stopblablacam.com/ Website
SUMMARY
Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) is a significant and escalating issue across Africa, particularly in Cameroon, where interactions between humans and wildlife lead to serious challenges. An estimated 20% of global HWC incidents occur in Africa, with these conflicts increasing by 60% over the past decade (IUCN, 2021). This conflict arises when wildlife behavior interferes with human activities, such as agriculture and safety, or when human expansion encroaches upon wildlife habitats. Key causes of HWC include agricultural expansion, resource competition, historical land dispossession, economic pressures, and climate change. For instance, elephants can devastate up to 65% of agricultural fields in some areas (Eyebe et al., 2012), while poaching remains a significant threat, with an estimated 35,000 elephants killed for their ivory in 2013 (Mauvais, 2016). The consequences of HWC are profound: farmers suffer significant financial losses due to crop destruction and livestock predation, leading to increased poverty and diminished support for conservation efforts. Additionally, retaliatory killings of large carnivores like lions have drastically reduced their populations by 30-50% over the past two decades (Mauvais, 2016). Addressing HWC requires comprehensive strategies that involve community engagement, compensation mechanisms for losses incurred from wildlife interactions, and innovative deterrents to foster coexistence between humans and wildlife. Ultimately, effective management of these conflicts is essential for balancing conservation goals with human livelihoods in the region.
BACKGROUND
Causes of Human-Wildlife Conflict Increase in Africa: Insights from Cameroon
Introduction
Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) is a significant and growing issue across Africa, particularly in Cameroon. An estimated 20% of global human-wildlife conflict incidents occur in Africa (IUCN, 2021), and those interactions have increased to 60% in the last decade, highlighting the urgency of addressing this challenge.
This conflict arises when the needs and behavior of wildlife negatively impact human activities, such as agriculture and safety, or when human expansion encroaches upon wildlife habitats. As our population continues to grow and agricultural practices expand, the frequency and severity of these conflicts are expected to increase. The implications of HWC extend beyond immediate economic losses; they threaten biodiversity, disrupt local communities, and challenge conservation efforts aimed at protecting vulnerable species.
Understanding Human-Wildlife Conflict
Human-wildlife conflicts can manifest in various forms, including crop damage, livestock predation, and even direct attacks on humans. According to Madden (2004), these conflicts can lead to injuries or fatalities among domestic animals and people. The scale of the issue is alarming; for instance, Africa has experienced a dramatic decline in large carnivore populations due to HWC, with lion populations decreasing by 30-50% over the past two decades (Mauvais, 2016). Additionally, poaching remains a significant threat, with an estimated 35,000 elephants killed for their ivory in 2013 alone (Mauvais, 2016).
In Cameroon specifically, the situation is exacerbated by historical factors. Protected areas (PAs) were often established without consulting local communities, leading to resentment and conflict. These areas are typically managed by state authorities that prioritize conservation over local needs, resulting in tensions that can escalate into violence (Tubiana, 2019). The lack of local participation in conservation efforts has created a disconnect between communities and wildlife management strategies.
The Impact of Protected Areas
Protected areas are intended to conserve biodiversity but can inadvertently contribute to HWC. Many PAs were created through land dispossession, forcing local populations off their traditional lands and restricting their access to vital resources such as water points (Tubiana, 2019). This exclusion has led communities to view PAs as barriers rather than as beneficial conservation zones.
Moreover, PAs often become targets for illegal activities as local populations seek alternative means of survival. Poaching of iconic species like elephants and lions has increased due to economic pressures on communities surrounding these protected zones. Armed groups may exploit these areas for resources such as ivory and bushmeat, further complicating the conservation landscape (Mauvais, 2016). The rise in poaching incidents has severe repercussions for wildlife populations; for example, the elephant population in Chad plummeted from 4,350 in 2002 to just 450 by 2010-2011 due to increased poaching activities (Tubiana, 2019).
Specific Conflicts in Cameroon
In Cameroon’s northern regions, conflicts primarily arise from elephants destroying crops such as millet and maize. Reports indicate that elephants can devastate up to 65% of agricultural fields in some areas (Eyebe et al., 2012). Additionally, carnivores like lions pose threats to livestock; retaliatory killings by farmers have led to drastic declines in lion numbers within protected areas (Bauer et al., 2001).
Birds also contribute to HWC as they compete with humans for diminishing natural resources. The red-billed quelea is particularly notorious for damaging crops; a single colony can consume vast quantities of grain daily (Elliott, 2014). Such interactions highlight the complex web of relationships between humans and various wildlife species.
Causes of Human-Wildlife Conflict
The causes of human-wildlife conflict are complex and multifaceted, stemming from both wildlife behavior and human activities. Key factors include:
Agricultural Expansion: The conversion of natural habitats into agricultural land significantly reduces the space available for wildlife. As humans clear land for farming, wildlife is often forced into closer proximity to human settlements in search of food, leading to increased crop damage and livestock predation (FAO, 2010).
Resource Competition: With the growing human population comes intensified competition for dwindling natural resources. Wildlife competes with humans for food and water, which can escalate into conflicts as animals invade agricultural areas (Beresford et al., 2011).
Historical Land Dispossession: Many protected areas were established without consulting local communities, resulting in feelings of alienation and resentment. This historical context contributes to ongoing tensions as communities feel marginalized by conservation efforts that prioritize wildlife over their livelihoods (Tubiana, 2019).
Economic Pressures: Economic hardship can drive local communities to exploit wildlife resources illegally. Poaching has become a significant issue as individuals seek alternative income sources in response to poverty (Mauvais, 2016). The illegal hunting of animals not only threatens species populations but also exacerbates conflicts between humans and wildlife.
Climate Change: Environmental changes due to climate change can alter animal migration patterns and food availability, pushing wildlife into closer proximity with human populations as they search for sustenance (FAO, 2007).
Consequences of Human-Wildlife Conflict
The consequences of human-wildlife conflict are profound and far-reaching, affecting both wildlife populations and local communities:
Economic Losses: Farmers often suffer significant financial losses due to crop destruction and livestock predation. For example, elephants can devastate agricultural fields, leading to losses that threaten food security for entire communities (Eyebe et al., 2012). Such economic impacts can exacerbate poverty and reduce community support for conservation efforts.
Decline in Wildlife Populations: HWC contributes directly to the decline of various species. Retaliatory killings by farmers seeking to protect their livelihoods have led to drastic reductions in populations of large carnivores such as lions (Bauer et al., 2001). Additionally, poaching driven by economic incentives poses a severe threat to species like elephants and rhinoceroses.
Social Tensions: The strain caused by HWC can lead to increased tensions within communities as individuals blame each other for losses or feel compelled to take matters into their own hands against perceived threats from wildlife. This can result in social fragmentation and a breakdown of communal trust.
Impacts on Conservation Efforts: As conflicts escalate, local support for conservation initiatives may diminish. Communities that experience frequent negative interactions with wildlife may become less inclined to engage in or support conservation efforts, undermining long-term biodiversity goals (Mauvais, 2016).
Human Safety Risks: In some cases, wildlife attacks can lead to injuries or fatalities among humans. Encounters with aggressive animals such as elephants or lions pose direct threats to the safety of individuals living near protected areas (Madden, 2004).
Strategies for Mitigation
Addressing HWC requires comprehensive strategies that consider both human needs and wildlife conservation. Various methods have been proposed and implemented across Africa:
Community Involvement: Engaging local communities in conservation efforts is crucial. This includes involving them in decision-making processes regarding land use and wildlife management.
Compensation Mechanisms: Establishing compensation schemes for farmers who suffer losses due to wildlife can help mitigate resentment towards conservation efforts.
Non-lethal Deterrents: Techniques such as using guard animals (like dogs) or employing auditory deterrents can effectively keep wildlife away from agricultural lands without harming them.
Education and Awareness: Raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity and sustainable practices can foster coexistence between humans and wildlife.
Innovative Solutions: Implementing practices like planting chili peppers along field borders has shown promise in deterring elephants due to their sensitivity to strong odors (Osborn & Parker, 2002).
Conclusion
Human-wildlife conflict presents a multifaceted challenge that requires a balanced approach addressing both conservation goals and human livelihoods. In Cameroon and across Africa, effective management strategies must prioritize community involvement while ensuring the protection of vulnerable wildlife populations. By fostering coexistence through education, compensation mechanisms, and innovative deterrents, it is possible to reduce conflicts and promote sustainable development that benefits both people and nature. The future of Africa's rich biodiversity hinges on our ability to navigate these complex relationships thoughtfully and collaboratively.
REFERENCES
Bauer, H., & De Iongh, A. (2001). Lion (Panthera leo) home ranges and livestock conflicts in Waza National Park, Cameroon. African Journal of Ecology, 43(2), 208-214.
Beresford, A., et al. (2011). Poor overlap between the distribution of Protected Areas and globally threatened birds in Africa. Animal Conservation, 14(1), 99-107.
Elliott, C. (2014). Alternative approaches to Red-billed Quelea quelea management: mass-capture for food. Ostrich, 85(1), 31-37.
Eyebe, L., et al. (2012). Tour d’horizon des conflits Homme-faune sauvage au Cameroun [Overview of human-wildlife conflict in Cameroon]. Poverty and conservation learning group, 04. 2012.
FAO. (2010). Les conflits humains-faune en Afrique, causes, conséquences et stratégies de gestion [Human-wildlife conflicts in Africa, causes, consequences and management strategies]. Viale delle Terme di Caracalla. 00153 Rome.
Madden, F. (2004). Creating Coexistence between Humans and Wildlife: Global Perspectives on Local Efforts to Address Human-Wildlife Conflict. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 9(2), 247-257.
Mauvais, G. (2016). Nouvelles des Aires Protégées en Afrique [News from Protected Areas in Africa]. Aires Protégées d’Afrique & Conservation, 97, 13.
IUCN SSC Human-Wildlife Conflict Task Force. (2021). 2021 Report. International Union for Conservation of Nature
Tubiana, J. (2019). Aires protégées, conflits et insécurité: comprendre la situation et définir des règles [Protected areas, conflicts and insecurity: understanding the situation and defining rules]. Papaco.
Comments