sharing space, realistically
TRANSCRIPT
Sharing Space, Realistically
by Derrick Alger
The world is filled with millionsof different creatures, many ofthem carnivorous. Humans, of
course, occupy a large amount ofspace on Earth.
However, we are not the onlycarnivores in existence.
Conservation of wildlife is a chiefconcern in the world and, inorder to conserve the lives of
other carnivorous species,humans must learn how to
effectively and safely coexist inthe same space as other
carnivores.
Unfortunately, many largercarnivorous species cannot be
contained to a preservation area,and are therefore put into
dangerous situations when theyencounter humans.
A recently published study takesa look at how humans and other
carnivores can peacefully occupythe same space.
The study was done in several differentcountries, with several different
species, such as wolves and bears. Theresearchers were attempting to
discover what factors could be changedto make humans and animals both
respond less aggressively whenencountering the other.
Both would have to adapt. Theresearchers found that there is an
inherent capability of each species toadapt to inhabitants of the other. For
example, animal carnivores are able toadapt to living in landscapes that have
been altered by humans.
Likewise, humans have shown theyhave the capability of getting used to
sharing land with carnivores, whetherit means changing the way they lookafter livestock, or altering cultural
practices to make room for otheranimals.
These adaptations, however, arenonexistent in several parts of theworld. People living in areas more
populated by humans, such as cities,never have to interact with
carnivorous wildlife.
This results in undesirableinteractions between said wildlife and
humans if and when they ever dointeract. The initial reaction of
humans to such conflict is to eliminateit altogether.
We build cities in which carnivorouswildlife only exist in zoos. We ensurethat we never encounter animals like
wolves and bears in our daily lives.
Researchers on this projects havefound that this is one of the worst
possible approaches. Unfortunately,when risk is decreased by humans, so
are the populations of several differentspecies.
Instead, this study suggests that weshould focus on how to reduce conflict
rather than eliminate it altogether. Wetherefore have to discover whatexactly breeds conflict between
humans and wild animals and work onreducing the factors to the best of our
ability.
Instead, this study suggests that weshould focus on how to reduce conflict
rather than eliminate it altogether. Wetherefore have to discover whatexactly breeds conflict between
humans and wild animals and work onreducing the factors to the best of our
ability.