essay on development and wildlife

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Essay on wildlife: top 6 essays | natural resources | geography.

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Here is a compilation of essays on ‘Wildlife’ for class 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Find paragraphs, long and short essays on ‘Wildlife’ especially written for school and college students.

Essay on Wildlife

Essay Contents:

• Essay on the Conservation of Wildlife

1. Essay on the Introduction to Wildlife:

Wildlife comprises all living organisms (plants, animals, micro-organisms) in their natural habitats which are neither cultivated/domesticated nor tamed. But in its strictest sense, it includes uncultivated mammals, reptiles, birds and fishes etc. which are generally hunted.

In broad sense, wildlife includes whole fauna and flora found in wilderness zone (natural habitat).

According to Indian Board for Wildlife (IBWL), 1970:

“Wildlife is the whole native and uncultivated fauna and flora of a particular country.”

According to Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972:

“Wildlife includes any animal, bees, butterflies, crustacea, fish and moths; and aquatic or land vegetation which form part of any habitat”.

In this definition, the word “animal” has come which according to the same Act means “Animals includes amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles and their young, and also includes in the cases of birds and reptiles, their eggs.” 

Again in the same definition, the word “habitat” has come which according to the same Act means “Habitat includes land, water or vegetation which is the natural home of any wild animal.”

Again in the same Act “Wild animals” means “Any animal found wild in nature and includes any animal specified in Schedule I, II, III, IV or V wherever found”.

According to Indian Forest Records (1965) “Wildlife are living things that are neither human nor domesticated and are applied specially to mammals, birds, reptiles and fishes which are hunted.”

Hence, in broad sense, wildlife includes whole flora and fauna found in its natural habitat (wilderness zone) which embraces all living organisms. But in strict sense, it includes animal, birds, amphibians, mammals, reptiles, bees, butterflies, fish, their young and eggs and their habitat (i.e. land, water and vegetation which are their natural home).

But again in the strictest sense, wildlife includes mammals, birds, reptiles and fishes which are uncultivated (not domesticated, not tamed) and generally hunted.

2. Essay on Wildlife as Land-Use/Land-Use Planning/Multiple-Use Concept :

The present world, especially developing countries including India, is facing problems of over-population, poverty and illiteracy. There is tremendous growth in human population at a very fast pace and consequently causing depletion of natural resources day-by-day. The land and the natural resources are limited but the numbers of mouths to feed are going up and up.

Under such circumstances, it is really very difficult task to protect, propagate and strive for place to the wildlife. Thus, realizing the conditions of various sectors of our country particularly socio-economic life, the wildlife must be managed and guided by the efficient and intensive land-use concept.

We should propagate the wildlife through the concept of various ways by educating and motivating the public taking economical benefits from the wildlife, the renewable natural resources, for the common mass. This is possible through the concept of multiple-use of the land. Hence, multiple-use concept means that the resources not only keeping in only one use, should be utilized or used in multiple uses or directions so that maximum productions or benefits may be taken from it.

The soil is the most important resource of this earth. We cannot imagine life without it. If soil is used only for agriculture, horticulture and forestry, there will be only one type of production at a time; but if it is utilized for multiple-uses, we will get more than one production at a time.

For example, if in the lands suited for agricultural crops, the fast growing trees (forest crops) are planted on bunds (which remain vacant) then we will get fuel food, fodder for livestock, wood for agricultural implements, poles etc. in addition to the agricultural crops.

It along with this tree planting on bunds, some game birds like quails, partridge, and jungle fowl etc. which are harmless to the agricultural crops and live in agricultural fields are reared or left there; then after sometimes the villagers may be allowed to hunt them and taking fees. In this way; from agricultural fields, in addition to agricultural crops, benefits may be taken as fuel wood, fodder, wood timber, hunting etc. also.

The land is classified on the basis of the fertility and texture of the soil. On this very basis, the land is divided and distributed into various sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, forestry and so on for its proper utilization. The last type of land which is unfertile, degraded, marginal and which cannot be used for any other purpose should be merely ear­marked for wildlife including forest.

Applying modern wildlife management techniques on such land, we can get benefits through tourism; trade in general and scientific field etc. and at the same time preservation and propagation of wildlife will also be achieved. Thus, it will serve the purposes of conservation of rare and threatened species, soil and water conservation, and enhancement of our economy up to a certain extent.

Since wildlife is also a kind of land-use as a renewable crop; soil, water, air etc. are needed for them. If this land-use is also kept separate like other land-uses (agriculture, horticulture etc.), there will be problem in meeting the land for them as land is limited and upon this the first priority is of agriculture to feed the human-beings (to solve food problems of mankind).

The lands which are not suitable for agriculture and horticulture, they are lastly used for forestry and wildlife. But when there is scarcity of agricultural/horticultural lands, wherefrom the land will come for wildlife. Under such circumstances; seeing the importance of wildlife, it may be linked with other land-uses in such a way that the revenue from the main land-use may be meeting and simultaneously the wildlife may also be conserved and propagated imparting benefits to the mankind.

Developed countries have already taken steps in this direction and wildlife is viewed as a land-use and most of the wildlife in these countries are seen in the individual farms, trade centres, national parks, sanctuaries and zoos. It shows the outlook of developed countries towards the wildlife. Similar sectors of economic activities in India can be identified in each area of the country depending upon land-use pattern.

The selection also depends upon the potential and type of wild fauna present in that particular area. For instance, breeding of suitable birds should be encouraged in certain area which should be closed for a certain period and then opened up so that people may be allowed hunting, if necessary, and government may get revenue. Similarly, trade may be dealt in silk, lac, feathers, wool, fats and oils, wild meat etc. if individual farms are set-up.

Along with main land-uses like the agriculture and forestry, wildlife as land-use may be linked as follows:

(i) In Forestry:

First of all; the forest should be divided as per the objectives such as protected forest, production forest, less productive and in the form of rivers and nallahs. Therefore, the forest area which is not so important from timber production point of view is very much important from wildlife management point of view and should be the main objective for wildlife in such area.

The forest area which is important for timber production point of view, wildlife management may be less important. But this area may also be managed which can meet the demands of wildlife propagation without hampering forest production.

(ii) In Agriculture:

In villages, there are some barren and degraded lands, village roads, rivers and nallahs which are not suitable for agricultural crops. In such areas, management should be done in such a way that it may suit for certain wildlife. Bushes may be grown in degraded and barren lands.

These will help as shelter for small wild animals, birds etc. as well as will provide fodder for livestock. In such areas, game birds like partridge, quails, jungle fowls etc. may be grown which will give revenue after some time by allowing hunting through paying fees. Apart from this, pisciculture may also be developed in ponds of the villages to get handsome revenue.

Hence, in our country, there is ample chance to link wildlife as land-use with the other land-uses on the basis of the multiple-use concept by understanding wildlife as important land-use for nature, environment, eco-balance and ultimately human-life.

It involves a challenging task of wildlife resource mobilization, efficient land-use and integration of wildlife economics with the basic planning objectives. This prospective should form a part of our overall developmental strategy so that we can save, preserve, conserve and propagate our remaining national valuable wildlife heritage up to the mark.

In nutshell, it can be said that we must divide the land into several categories depending upon the quality of land and its uses for various purposes such as agriculture, horticulture, forestry etc. The land; which is unfertile, degraded and where the land cannot be used otherwise for any other purpose should be exclusively utilized for wildlife.

By applying modern management techniques, we can get economical profit from such kinds of lands by promoting tourism, scientific trade and other related business. It will serve the twin purposes like conservation of rare and threatened species as well as conservation of soil and water, and thus dragging our economy towards-prosperity.

Overall; in our country, there is urgent need of different sectors/departments like forestry, agriculture, veterinary, watershed management, fishery etc. to be interlinked in order to come together and work in full collaboration for finalizing and suggesting the proper utility and suitability of the particular piece of land so that each and every piece of land may be utilized in proper way to avoid future anomalies or complications and in getting balance in every walk of human life.

3. Essay on the Basic Requirements of Wildlife:

Food is the most important basic requirement to get energy and subsequently for proper growth, breeding, propagation and other metabolic-activities. The green plants manufacture their food by own by the process of photosynthesis and, thus, called as autotrophs.

The animal-communities do not have such type of mechanism and, thus, have to depend upon others called as heterotrophs. In this respect, the consumers like herbivorous animals depend upon plants (producers) deriving food-energy from them and, in turn, carnivores ultimately trap their food and energy from them, in this way, food-chain and food-web have been formed and ecological-balance is maintained.

Though, each animal requires nutritive elements but the food requirements of all the animals are not alike. The different species are differently adopted for their food as per their environment or habitat and, thus, have different kinds of food-habits to suit in a particular environment. That’s why; some foods are edible while others are non-edible.

A particular food may be edible for a particular species whereas it may be non-edible for others. Therefore, quality and quantity of food available in the habitat affects a lotto the number and status of the wild animals. Hence, the assessment of characteristics, quality, quantity and status of the vegetation available in the habitat and its improvement is an important and primary stage of wildlife management.

The necessity of food may be divided into two categories:

(a) Physiological Need:

Some animals fulfill their required nutrients by eating the plants itself; while in some animals, like ruminants, it is synthesized by certain bacteria etc. found in their digestive tract which make it available in useful forms of elements for the body. In some special period, such as in pregnancy and milking period, the females require more food or some special food than the normal period for proper growth of the fetus and young ones.

(b) Psychological Need:

As per food-habit, there is adaptation in the digestive system of the species and they prefer the food in that manner. For example, herbivores become instinct towards vegetarian food while carnivores towards non-vegetarian food. Deer become tempted to see grasses whereas tigers will not.

For the sustenance of life, the animals consume different types of food in the variable seasons and in this way their food-choice may be said as primary, secondary and so on.

Thus, the food may be categorized in the following kinds:

(i) Preferred Food:

The most tasteful and liked food is called preferred-food of the species.

(ii) Staple Food:

After preferred-food, the staple-food comes in the series. Generally, this food is important for the living of the animal being available for long time.

(iii) Emergency Food:

When there is scarcity of staple food, the species depends upon certain food which is neither so tasteful nor nutritive and called as emergency-food. Such food cannot sustain the animal for a long period because it induces malnutrition.

(iv) Stuffing Food:

The food which is totally non-nutritive and is consumed by the animal only to fulfill its stomach is called stuffing-food. Such food is taken in by the animals when there is no alternative.

(v) Miscellaneous Food:

Sometimes, certain animals take unusual food which is not in their habit. For example, sometimes bark eaten by sambhar and cheetal, grass by tiger (as found in its pellet sometimes) etc.

Pinch Period:

The period in which the food is not sufficiently available and causes trouble to the animal, is called pinch-period. This period may be for other basic requirements also such as water etc. The period varies as per the habitat, climate, country etc. The management part is very essential and plays important role for such period.

Selection of food by the animals depends upon the following factors:

(i) Availability:

The selection of food by the animal depends upon the season and period of the habitat, it depends upon the fact that in which season or period, which type of food is available, and how much labour is to be done to procure it by the animal; because season is responsible for the availability and quantity of the food in a particular habitat.

Hence; the food, which is easily and sufficiently found in a season, is consumed in enough quantity by the animal. It can be said that plenty of food is directly related with its consumption.

(ii) Palatability:

Palatability of food for animal is related with its taste, easy availability and digestibility etc.

(iii) Physiology:

Physiological regions is also responsible in the selection of food as per need of the animal.

(iv) Habit:

Since its evolution and habit, the animal selects its food accordingly as it is capable of digestion as well as has habitual instinct for such food.

Hence; by considering all these situations, it can be said that the quantity and quality of food serve a lot in the survival and propagation of the animals. For their survival, different kinds of animals take different kinds of food as per their adapted habit and habitat.

For example; some species survive by eating seeds of the plants which is very nutritive while some are living on grasses and leaves of the trees, some are habituated on dry grasses and leaves, some take tender leaves and grass while some prefer hard grasses and so on. Some are grazers whereas some are browsers.

All these depend upon the condition of the habitat and adaptations of the animals. Climate, soil and other natural as well as biotic-factors are responsible for outcome of the condition of the habitat to which the animal adapts it accordingly.

The aquatic animals have developed various adaptations morphologically as well as physiologically, terrestrial animals have also modified and adapted themselves to suit their living environment and the desert animals have likewise adaptations in all means to conserves water and reducing the loss of water less and less for their survival.

In each and every type of environment and habitat, the animals are having adaptations to be suited and survive nicely. Selection of food, its quality and quantity, palatability etc.; all these depend upon the conditions and adaptations of the habitat and the species concerned respectively. 

(ii) Water:

Water is another basic requirement of the wild animals. It varies with food, weather, environment, habitat and the animal’s ability to conserve it. Since water is essential for metabolic activities, it is required up to a certain extent by the animals for their survival, growth and propagation. All animals preserve metabolic water.

The desert animals conserve water to exist indefinitely on metabolic water and for this they have various adaptations in their morphology as well as physiology. Water conservation is also provided for by habits; such as the nocturnal or burrowing habit that escapes from diurnal heat and low humidity by the adaptations like possession of chitin, scales as the morphological protection and excretion of dry faeces as physiological adaptations.

Thus, the necessity of water is different in different types of animals. The size of the waterholes is not so important for wildlife rather its proper distribution in the entire habitat throughout the year is very important. Its spatial-distribution and availability with sufficient numbers have great importance for the survival and propagation of the animals.

If the number of waterholes is very few, there will be crowd and pressure of the animals around it and hard competition will arise for the survival and will not be utilized properly by them.

On the other hand, if it is properly distributed throughout the area, it will sustain the total animals as per the carrying-capacity. Therefore, management of water sources or waterholes plays an important role in the field of wildlife management. 

(iii) Shelter:

The place or area which gives protection and serves other biological needs of the species is known as shelter.

It can be divided into:

(a) Cover and

Covers are those vegetation or plants which save the animals from causal-factors and provide safety, resting, shade as well as protecting from adverse environmental-effects.

The cover can be classified as:

(i) Escape Cover:

Where, the wild animals escape themselves to protect from predators or hunters. Its shape and size depends upon the size of the animals.

(ii) Nesting Cover (Breeding-Cover):

Here the birds hide themselves for breeding, laying and nursing the eggs. Likewise, the larger animals also require such cover to deliver the litters. Its size and shape also depend upon the size and requirements of the animals.

(iii) Shelter Cover:

It is that cover which protects the animals from the problematic season etc. It may be bushes or the trees in accordance with the size of the animals.

(iv) Roosting Cover (Resting-Cover):

The cover under which, shade the animals take rest after taking the food and use as perch. This may be bush, tree or cave.

There should be sufficient space for living of the animals. Therefore, space is the important characteristic of the habitat. Without it, the animals cannot survive. Space is multi-dimensional. It is not only horizontal, but also includes vertical dimension. The horizontal dimension requires sufficient space as per the need of the animals like home-range, territory etc.

In vertical dimension in any field, the wild animals are living in six-seven levels such as at the peak height vulture etc. fly; then eagle, crows etc.; then other birds fly and live on the trees; below them some birds and animals like small birds, squirrels, monkeys etc. live on the branches of the trees; just above the ground, some animals dwell in the bushes and grasses; on the ground, the terrestrial animals like small and large mammals roam; and lastly inside the soil, wild soil-dwelling animals live.

In lack of sufficient space, the animals come under stress and there is crowd in the habitat and ultimately leading towards the diseases, casualty, hampering in courtship and mating, improper supply of food, water and so on.

Hence, proper management of the habitat is to provide proper and sufficient basic requirements of the animals (food, water and shelter) as per the carrying-capacity is the most essential and important primary objective of wildlife management.

4. Essay on the Biotic and Abiotic Factors Affecting Wildlife:

The ecosystem is the outcome of two components viz. biotic and abiotic factors. Therefore, the ecological factors are falling under two categories such as biotic or living factors and abiotic or physical factors.

In the context of wildlife, it can be dealt as follows:-

Biotic Factors or Living Factors :

It includes living organisms such as plants and animals as well as other forms of life. These factors are the resultant of the interactions and interrelations of the same species (intraspecific) or different-species (interspecific) because, in the ecosystem, all organisms are interlinked and interdependent on each other and none can live alone or in isolation for getting their basic needs like food, water and shelter and protection.

Not only this, but the animals of one species are related or dependent upon the animals of the same species and vice-versa. Such interdependency exists without considering kind and size, such as big animals or plants are associated with small insects or parasites. Such association is intraspecific (between same species) and interspecific (between different species).

The interspecific relationship is further divided into:

i. Parasitism,

ii. Mutualism (Neutralism),

iii. Symbiosis,

iv. Commensalism,

v. Predation etc.

Abiotic Factors or Physical Factors :

Broadly, the physical factors which has affected and affecting the fauna and flora of an ecosystem can be divided into two parts viz. Medium and Climate. Mainly there are six media where animals and plants live which soil, light, temperature, water, air and parasite are living in or on the body of other organism (host).

Here, we will discuss about soil, light, temperature and water in detail:

The soil, which is formed by weathering of rocks associated with organic matter and the living organisms, is the most essential medium for the survival of plants and animals. It contains various types of nutrients, minerals, water and gases and support for the plants (producers).

Thus, it is essential for the sustenance of any form of life. The dead part of the organism is decayed and transformed by the decomposers dwelling in the soil and contribute also in the soil- formation particularly humus and continue the energy-nutrient-cycle also.

The vigour and hygiene of health of the wild animal depends upon the presence and absence of the minerals in the soil. The mineral-rich soil supports more wildlife than poorly aerated and acidic soil. The animal develops in the particular soil containing materials needed for it; for example, snails are found in the soil which is enriched in calcium required for their shell formation.

That’s why; flora and fauna are different in different types of soil. The soil which is slightly acidic or neutral is generally well-suited for most of the plants and animals. Therefore, status and kinds of wildlife has direct relationship with the soil-condition of an area or habitat.

On good soil, vegetation is luxuriant and nutritious resulting good size and number of the herbivores and subsequently optimum number of carnivores are found there establishing dynamic and viable ecosystem maintaining proper food-chain. Any deterioration, naturally or artificially, changes the characteristics of the soil leading the change in food, shelter and status of wildlife in reverse direction.

(B) Light :

Light is also an important factor in influencing growth, behaviour and distribution of flora and fauna. The most important work in this field is the phenomenon of photosynthesis. The green plants (producers/ autotrophs) trap sunlight and act as factory for producing food materials maintaining food-chain of the ecosystem.

The amount of light received by an organism depends upon the intensity and duration of light. The duration of light to which an organism is exposed to receive, is called as photoperiodism.

The effect of light controls various activities of wild animals such as:

(i) Effect on Metabolism:

The intensity of light effects the metabolic rate of the animals resulting the phenomenon like hibernation, aestivation and diapause in certain species like amphibians, reptiles, insects etc. as per the intensity of light in the different seasons.

(ii) Effect on Growth:

Since there is relation between metabolism and growth, the light influences the growth of the animal as per the rate of the metabolic activities. For the growth of plants, light is very essential while certain animals may die or survive in presence or absence of light.

(iii) Effect on Reproduction:

In certain animals, especially birds and mammals, gonads and ultimately reproduction are stimulated by light. To the, intensity or illumination of light, different kinds of animals response in different ways. Sexual activities, migration etc. depend upon the duration of light in certain animals and thus their breeding seasons are also different. Likewise, plants are also effected by the relative length of day light.

(iv) Effect of Photoperiodism:

The length of day and night light affects reproduction, behaviour, migration, hibernation, and aestivation etc. of the animals. Hence, photoperiodism influences the various activities of the animals. Perhaps, the sense organs are stimulated by the photoperiodism and required physiological changes occur in the animals to response to the desired performance.

(v) Other Effects:

Light is also responsible for changing the colour of the skin of certain animals. Mimicry is the example of that which is a kind of protective measure to suit in the environment. Eyes of certain deep water aquatic animals are enlarged while nocturnal animals, as in owls, have enlarged eyes to see in night. In certain lower animals, locomotion is influenced by light known as photokinesis. Butterflies move in day period while moths in the night.

(C) Temperature :

Temperature is also one of the important factors controlling distribution and behaviour of the animals. Like light, it also controls the various activities of the animals like reproduction, embryonic development, migration, diapause and other metabolic activities. The temperature at which the body activities, physiological and metabolic, are at maximum is called as Optimum-temperature.

As per the capacity of tolerance of temperature by the animals, they are of following types:-

(i) Eurythermal:

The animals, which can tolerate, wide range of temperature such as mammals etc.

(ii) Stenothermal:

The animals which can tolerate narrow range of temperature like Pisces, snakes etc.

(iii) Poikilothermic or Cold-Blooded:

The animals, whose body temperature varies/fluctuates with the changes in temperature of the environment such as pieces, amphibians, reptiles etc.

(iv) Homoiothermic or Warm-Blooded:

The animals whose body temperature do not fluctuate with the changes in temperature of the environment and are able to regulate and maintain the body temperature at a constant level like birds and mammals.

The effects of temperature upon the animals are as follows:

(a) Effect on Metabolism:

Temperature influences metabolism of the animals by influencing the enzymatic-activities of the body. Increase or decrease of temperature, up to a certain limits, increases and decreases enzymatic-activities and subsequently the metabolism of the animals.

(b) Effect on Reproduction:

Like other factors, temperature also affects the activities and behaviour or reproduction of the animals. It also controls or induces sex-cells maturation and their liberation in certain animals. The outbreak of grasshopper, sex-ratio of rotifers, and production of fertilized and unfertilized eggs in daphnia is governed by the temperature or period of temperature.

(c) Effects on Growth:

Growth and development of animals are also effected and controlled by the temperature. It affects them at the different stages of their life-cycle.

(d) Effects on Distribution:

Specially cold-blooded and warm ­blooded animal’s distributions are related with the temperature. The animals having narrow range of tolerance of temperature are restricted to the specific areas only, whereas the animals having greater range of tolerance of temperature are widely distributed.

(e) Effect on Structure and Behaviour:

Temperature is also responsible for animal’s structure and their behaviour such as the animals living in colder region has more life span than the warmer areas.

There are certain theories in this regard like:

(i) Bergmann’s Rule:

According to this, the animals living in cold region are much larger than the warmer region. For example, the largest polar bears are found in far north in cold climate whereas the smaller black bears are living in warmer climate.

Furthermore; it is well known that of a given species, the races which inhabit desert areas are always pale or sandy-coloured whereas those living under the influence of heavy rainfall, in well-wooded or humid tracts, tend to be darker in colouration. It is assumed that the reduced force of ultraviolet rays due to water vapour suspended in the air may account for the darkening. 

(ii) Gloger’s Rule:

The rule says that the temperature together with light and moisture governs the colour of many animals. In warm humid climate, majority of birds and mammals are darker than the animals living in cold or dry climate.

(iii) Jordan’s Rule:

Temperature has apparent control on the number of vertebrae in certain species of fishes. The fishes living in low water temperature have more vertebrae than those living in warm water as found in cool-fish.

(iv) Allen’s Rule:

As per this rule; the tail, neck and other external parts of the animals living in colder parts are compact as well as shorter in comparison with the animals living in warmer parts. For example, the ear sizes of three different species of fox (Arctic fox, Red fox and Desert fox) have different sizes of the pinna.

Their ear-sizes (pinna) are found increasing from arctic to desert fox. Arctic fox has smallest ear-size, Red-fox has bigger and Desert fox has the biggest size. It is assumed that the shorter ear-size will reduce the area of exposure and, thus, help in reduction in loss of heat from the body.

(D) Water :

We know that water plays an important role in the existence of the living organisms and comes under basic need of the animals for all types of metabolic-reactions of the body. Even various animals have adopted for aquatic-life (fresh water or salt water). The animals which can tolerate narrow fluctuation of the salt-concentration are called as stenohaline and which can tolerate wide range is called as euryhaline.

Of course; all the animals, whether aquatic or terrestrial, require water. On the hand, there are various aquatic-adaptations in aquatic animals; on the other hand, there are various adaptive-features to conserve water in the animals living in dry and desert places. For such particular mode of life; animals have developed morphological, anatomical and physiological adaptations.

Thus, water acts as a limiting-factor for the animals living in any ecosystem. Any factor, which approaches or exceeds the limits of tolerance, is said to be limiting-factor. If in a particular habitat, the scarcity of food, water or shelter arises at any stage or time then it is called the limiting-factor for that particular thing of that habitat.

For example; the scarcity of food will be limiting-factor for food, scarcity of water will be limiting-factor for water and likewise scarcity of shelter will be the limiting-factor for shelter and soon. The period in which limiting-factor – arises is called as pinch-period. In case of aquatic animals, oxygen acts as a limiting-factor because it is in scarce in water but the same is not as a limiting-factor for the terrestrial animals where it is in abundance.

The distribution of water also determines the carrying-capacity of a habitat. By creating more waterholes in an area, carrying-capacity can be enhanced. The wildlife is more concentrated at the watery areas.

Besides this, relative-humidity also determines the occurrence of specific vegetation as well as distribution and availability of the animals. It is clear that the animals depend upon the vegetation for food and the vegetation is dependent upon the water and its distribution.

Hence; the ecological factors, abiotic and biotic, act as limiting- factors with respect to that organism. It is the established fact that the amount of a substance below or above the certain limits may also limit the abundance or distribution of a species. For example, carbon-dioxide is necessary for growth of green plants through photosynthesis.

Small increase in its concentration increases the rate of plant growth; but if the concentration is increased significantly, it becomes toxic. Sheldford (1913) postulated the theory called as “Law of Tolerance”. According to him, all environmental-factors have a tolerable limit, the critical- minimum and critical-maximum.

The range between the critical- minimum and critical-maximum is known as “Limit of Tolerance”. If for a particular species, the tolerance exceeds its limit, the species will disappear from that particular area, as long as such condition exists. But, before this range is crossed on either sides and the limits of tolerance are reached, there is stress upon the animals and called as “Zone of Physiological Stress.”

Generally, it is difficult to identify a single limiting- factor because presence and absence of an organism or a group of organisms in an ecosystem depends upon a complex of factors and entire complex of conditions involved.

Therefore, the approach towards the limiting-factor should cover all the aspects of ecosystem and a single species approach may not be helpful in proper understanding of the various interactions in population, factors, habitat etc. For wildlife management, we should follow wholestic concept of the ecosystem.

5. Essay on the Importance of Wildlife :

If we view wildlife from close quarters and juxtapose our observations and all the major disciplines, we simply cannot believe how important wildlife is.

We may nail down the following cardinal points:

(i) Ecological Balance:

Wildlife maintains nonetheless balance of nature through:

(a) Regulation of population of different species by self-regulation and feedback,

(b) Food-chains or passage of food and energy through series of populations comprising producers, consumers and micro-organisms, and

(c) Natural cycles or circulation of inorganic nutrients between biotic and abiotic environments, prevention of leaching and run-off.

Thus it preserves the environment as a self-sustaining system. It balances population and maintains food-chains and natural-cycles.

(ii) Gene Bank:

The most direct relationship of preservation of wildlife to human progress is its significance as gene banks for breeding programmes in agricultural, animal husbandry and fishery. Wildlife serves as a gene banks for breeding improved varieties in agriculture, animal husbandry and fishery.

Plant and animal breeders have been able to produce high-yielding and disease-and-stress resistant varieties which form the backbone of modern agriculture. Average life of a crop variety is 5-15 years.

More application of fertilizers, irrigation and pesticides cannot raise production unless a variety of a crop or of an animal has the genetic potentiality to respond to improved inputs. To develop such varieties, a very wide range of plants or animals has to be screened and selected.

Scientists have been constantly examining the wild relatives of crop plants for the presence of useful genes that can be introduced to breeding programmes. Hence, gene- bank maintenance is essential.

Let us see how this point has held well in practice:

(i) Some old rice varieties from Kerala saved rice cultivation when Nilaparvata lugens (Brown Plant Hopper) attacked all modern rice varieties.

(ii) Wild rice (Oryza nivara) provided the resistance to the grassy stunt virus which has threatened rice cultivation in 1970’s. It was incorporated in IR-36 by Dr. Khush and others.

(iii) In potatoes, resistance to late blight has been incorporated from Solanum demissum, mosaic virus and leaf roll virus from Solanum acaule, mosaic virus Y from Solanum stoloniferum damping-off and nematodes from Solanum spegazzini.

The production of high-yielding, disease-resistant crops, livestock and fish cannot continue without the wild relatives of the cultivated varieties. This is because of pests and pathogens evolve new strains; climates change; soils vary; and consumers’ demands change with time. Since the average life of a crop variety is only 5-15 years, new varieties are constantly being produced to meet the changing demands.

We cannot predict which species become useful to us in the future. With increasing knowledge and skills, man is busy finding new uses for the traditionally used species. If penicillium had been eliminated from the earth before man could discover its antibiotic properties or Cinchona had become extinct from Peru before quinine was discovered, some of the severest infectious diseases would have continued to savage the world.

Man is the only species who has widely used the hidden values of a wide range of species around him. He is aware that the rich diversity of organisms today is the product of natural evolution stretching unbroken through 3.5 billion years.

A species once lost cannot be retrieved. Therefore, it would be unethical to be responsible for the destruction of a species. We have an evolutionary responsibility to conserve biological diversity for our descendants.

(iii) Plant Propagation:

Pollination in certain plants is performed by wild animals like birds; insects etc., and thus help in plants propagation, which is very essential.

(iv) Cleaning of Environment:

Scavengers and decomposers wild animals (like vultures, eagles, jackals, hyaenas etc.) as well as micro-organisms, which feed upon dead animals, convert them into different nutrients and release energy back to the nature increasing fertility of the soil. They do very important work of cleaning the environment; otherwise what the fate of this planet will be, can be assumed.

(v) Scientific Importance:

For research purposes and studies of anatomy, physiology, ecology, evolutionary aspects; wild animals are used, which help in saving human life.

(vi) Soil Erosion:

It is prevented by plant cover, litter, mixing of litter by movement of wild animals and conversion to spongy humus by micro-organisms.

(vii) Experimental Animals:

Monkeys, Rabbits, Guinea-pigs, Rats etc.

(viii) Economic Importance:

Timber, firewood, paper, gum, resins, tannins, several drugs, essential oils, spices, lac, silk, honey, hair, feathers, guano (the dung of sea-fishes used as manure or the manure made from fish), leather, musk, ivory etc. are obtained from wildlife.

Besides these, benefits are also obtained from:

i) Tourists

ii) Exports

iii) Hunting of surplus stock

iv) Procurement of food materials

v) Hide, ivory etc. after death of wild animals; though now-a-days it is legally banned and not in practices.

(ix) Potential Uses:

Just as all present day cultivated/domesticated plants and animals are derived from wildlife; new foods, beverages (A beverage is a type of plant product used by everyone daily which contains an alkaloid called caffeine having the stimulative action in the human body; e.g., tea, coffee, cocoa etc. It is also fragmented product of the plant), drugs and other useful products may be obtained in future from wildlife.

6. Essay on the Conservation of Wildlife:

India is rich in biodiversity including the wildlife. Its wildlife includes rare animals like the lion in Gir forests of Gujarat, elephants in Kerala and Assam jungles, rhinoceros is found in Assam and northern West Bengal. The Bengal tiger of Sunderbans is really ferocious to look at. Rewa in Madhya Pradesh is known for the White tigers. Gaur or Indian bison is another big animal common in Central parts of India.

The Rann of Kutch has the wild ass. Rajasthan has cranes and Indian bustard. The country has a large species of deer and antelope. It has crocodiles and gharials in rivers and salt water. There is a large variety of monkeys, snakes and other reptiles. Tortoises are also very common. Besides these animals, it has very large varieties of birds and fishes. Tiger is our National Animal and Peacock is our National Bird.

Many of these species have become rare. Some are almost on the way to extinction. With growing population, forests are recklessly cut down. The hunger for cultivated land, for building, big dams and hydel power projects has snatched the homeland of wild animals. Many people kill them for fun of hunting. Indian Cheetah and other so many animals have become extinct (in recent years).

It is high time that we give up our arrogance and carelessness towards the wildlife. The Government has setup several sanctuaries, national parks, projects etc. Hunting of animals is prohibited so that they may thrive in peace. Such sanctuaries and national parks have now become centres of tourists’ interest. They are a source of income and employment to a large number of people, serving domestic and international tourists.

Conservation is defined as the management of human use of the biosphere so that it may yield the greatest sustainable benefit to present generation while maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations.

It is scientific management of wildlife so as to maintain it at its optimum level and derive sustainable benefit for the present as well as future generations. The conservation of wildlife is directly related to healthy and better forests. Wildlife conservation includes protection, preservation, perpetuation of rare species of plants and animals in their natural habitats.

Conservation of living resources has three specific objectives:-

(i) To maintain essential ecological processes and lite-supporting systems.

(ii) To preserve the diversity of species or the range of genetic material found in the world’s organisms.

(iii) To ensure sustainable utilization of species and ecosystems which support millions of rural communities as well as major industries. Thus, conservation of living resources is a complex operation which is specifically concerned with plants, animals and the micro­organisms; and with those non-living elements of the environment on which they depend. 

Conservation Strategies:

Wildlife conservation as well as its propagation through the proper management techniques is a must. Sanctuaries, national parks, biosphere reserves, projects etc. have been created for exclusively protecting the wild flora and fauna in all parts of the world as a part of broad wildlife management prospective.

Scientists representing 100 countries of the world have evolved a comprehensive “World Conservation Strategies” (national and international conservation strategies) for the judicious use of resources.

Some of the steps proposed to save the existing species of the wildlife are as follows:-

(i) All efforts should be made to preserve the species that are endangered throughout the range. The species that are sole representative of their family or genus should receive special attention. An endangered species should be given priority over vulnerable one, a vulnerable species over a rare one and a rare species over other categories.

All the threatened species is protected. Priority is given belonging to monotypic genera, endangered over vulnerable, vulnerable over rare and rare over other species.

(ii) Prevention of extinction requires sound planning and management of land and water uses. The wildlife should be protected both in their natural habitat (in situ) and in zoo and botanical gardens (ex situ).

The threatened species be provided with both in situ conservation (under natural habitat in forest/national park/sanctuary/biosphere reserve) and ex situ conservation (in zoo/botanical garden/biological garden/arboureta/channelling into trade).

(iii) As many varieties as possible of food crops, forage plants, timber trees, livestock, animals for aquaculture, and their wild relatives and microbes should be preserved. Priority should be given to those varieties that are most threatened and are most needed for national and international breeding programmes.

All the possible varieties, old or new of food, forage and timber plants, livestock, aquaculture animals and microbes are conserved.

(iv) Each country should identify the habitats of wild relatives of the economically valuable and useful plants and animals and ensure their preservation in protected areas (sanctuaries, national parks, and biosphere reserves).

Wild relatives of all the economically important organisms be identified and conserved in protected areas.

(v) The critical habitats (the feeding, breeding, nursery and resting areas) of the species should be safeguarded.

(vi) In case of migratory or wide-ranging animals, a network of protected areas should be established to preserve the habitat of the species.

Resting/feeding places of migratory/wide-ranging animals are protected.

(vii) If a species migrates or ranges from one national jurisdiction to another, bilateral or multilateral agreements should be made to set up the required network. Exploitation of the species and pollution of the environment along the migration routes should also be regulated.

For migratory/wide-ranging animals, pollution and exploitation should be controlled. Bilateral and multilateral agreements be made where required.

(viii) Unique eco-system should be protected as a matter of priority. Only those uses which are compatible with their preservation should be permitted.

The national protection programmes have to be coordinated with the international programmes, particularly the biosphere reserve (unique ecosystem) programme of the UNESCO’S Man and the Biosphere Project and National Parks and Protected Areas of International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).

The international network of biosphere reserve programme aims to conserve and use the diversity and integrity of plant and animal communities for the present and the future within natural ecosystem. This would safeguard the genetic diversity of species and their continuing evolution.

National Wild Life (Protection) Act, enacted in India in 1972. Wildlife protection strategies formulated in India in 1983 and protection programmes integrated with international programmes. Wildlife Institute of India was located at Dehradun, Uttaranchal. Indian Board for Wildlife (IBWL) was established in 1952.

Unique ecosystem is preserved on priority basis.

(ix) The productive capacities of exploited species and ecosystems have to be determined and it has to be ensured that utilization does not exceed those capacities. Industries, communities and countries that are over-exploiting the living resources they depend on, should be convinced that they would be better off if utilization is kept at a sustainable level.

The reproductive capacity of the exploited species and productivity of the ecosystem be determined. Exploitation should not exceed the same.

(x) International trade in wild plants and animals has to be regulated to appropriate legislative and administrative measures. International trade in wildlife should be highly regulated.

India is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES).

Our late Prime Minister, Smt. Indira Gandhi addressed in her inaugural speech of World Conservation Strategy in 1980 – “The interest in conservation is not sentimental one but the rediscovery of a truth well-known to our ancient sages. The Indian tradition teaches us that all forms of life – human, animal and plant – are so closely interlinked that disturbance in one gives rise to imbalance in the other. Nature is beautifully balanced. Each little thing has its own place, its duty and special utility. Any disturbance creates a chain reaction which may not be visible for some time. Taking a fragmentary view of life has created global and national problems.” 

Protected Areas in India:

India is richly endowed with various bio-geographical provinces, ranging from the cold deserts of Ladakh and Spiti to the hot deserts of the Thar; the temperate forests in the Himalayas to the lush green tropical rain forests of the low lands. India is also endowed with large fresh water bodies such as the Wular and the Manasbal lakes in Kashmir, the Chilka in Orissa and the Kolleru Lake in Andhra Pradesh and the rugged and rich coastline and coral reefs of the Deccan.

To protect, preserve and propagate these varied natural bounties; the Government of India passed Wild Life (Protection) Act in 1972 under which national parks and sanctuaries could be created. Creation of biosphere reserves has also been put into practice since 1986.

Protected Areas are ecological/bio-geographical area where wildlife is conserved by maintaining habitats, natural resources and preventing poaching. They are delimited to protect biological diversity, i.e. cold desert (Ladakh and Spiti) hot desert (Thar), Wetland (Assam and N.E. States), saline swampy areas (Sunderbans, Rann of Kutch), mangroves, temperate forests, subtropical forests, tropical forests, tropical wet evergreen forests, tropical moist deciduous forests, tropical dry deciduous forests, tropical thorn, coral reef etc.

Protected Areas include:

a. National parks,

b. Sanctuaries and

c. Biosphere reserves.

a. National Parks:

They are areas which are strictly reserved for the betterment of the wildlife. They are the areas maintained by government and reserved for improvement of wildlife. Cultivation, grazing, forestry-operation and habitat-manipulation are not allowed.

b. Sanctuaries:

In a sanctuary, protection is given only to the fauna and operations such as harvesting of timber, collection of MFP and private ownership rights are permitted so long as they do not interfere with the well-being of animals.

They are tracts of land where wild animals/fauna can take refuge without being hunted. Other activities like collection of forest products, harvesting of timber, private ownership of land, tilling of land etc. are allowed.

c. Biosphere Reserves:

During the past few decades, the concept of biosphere reserves has been evolved by the Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB) of the UNESCO.

India has identified 14 areas to be declared as Biosphere Reserves. Of this Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve including parts of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu was declared in 1986.

In a biosphere reserve, multiple land use is permitted by designating various zones. There is the Core Zone (where no human activity is permitted), the Buffer Zone (where limited human activity is allowed) and the Manipulation Zone (where a large number of human activities would go on). In a biosphere reserve, wild population as well as traditional life styles of tribals and varied domesticated plant and animal genetic resources is protected.

Biosphere Reserves are multipurpose protected areas which are meant for preserving genetic diversities in representative ecosystems by protecting wild populations, traditional life style of tribals and domesticated plant/animal genetic resources. There are some 243 biosphere reserves in 65 countries of the world. In India 14 potential sites were identified in 1979 by Core Advisory Group but only 12 biosphere reserves have been set up by now.

Each biosphere reserve has a:

(a) Core Zone: No human activity is allowed.

(b) Buffer Zone: Limited human activity is permitted.

(c) Manipulation Zone: Human activity is allowed but ecology is not permitted to be disturbed.

(d) Restoration Zone: Degraded area for restoration to near natural form.

National parks, sanctuaries and biosphere reserves would be the last refuse (shelter) for wild plants and animals in the coming years.

Wildlife Organizations:

There are several organizations engaged in conservation of wildlife at national and international levels.

Some of them are mentioned below:

(i) International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).

(ii) Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB Programme).

(iii) United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

(iv) Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF).

(v) Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

(vi) Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).

(vii) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

(viii) Indian Board for Wildlife (IBWL).

(ix) Wildlife Preservation Society of India (WPSI).

(x) Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, India (CAZRI).

(xi) Crocodile Breeding and Management Training Research Institute (CBMTRI).

(xii) Tiger Conservation Society (TCS).

(xiii) Zoological Survey of World (ZSW).

(xiv) Botanical Survey of World (BSW).

(xv) Zoological Survey of India (ZSI).

(xvi) Botanical Survey of India (BSI).

(xvii) International Council for Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN).

(xviii) International Council for Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN).

(xix) Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).

(xx) Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun (WII).

(xxi) Global Tiger Forum (GTF).

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Wildlife conservation.

Wildlife conservation aims to protect plant and animal species as the human population encroaches on their resources.

Biology, Ecology, Conservation, Storytelling, Photography

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Wildlife conservation is the practice of protecting plant and animal species and their habitats . Wildlife is integral to the world’s ecosystems , providing balance and stability to nature’s processes. The goal of wildlife conservation is to ensure the survival of these species, and to educate people on living sustainably with other species. The human population has grown exponentially over the past 200 years, to more than eight billion humans as of November 2022, and it continues to rapidly grow. This means natural resources are being consumed faster than ever by the billions of people on the planet. This growth and development also endangers the habitats and existence of various types of wildlife around the world, particularly animals and plants that may be displaced for land development, or used for food or other human purposes. Other threats to wildlife include the introduction of invasive species from other parts of the world, climate change, pollution, hunting, fishing, and poaching. National and international organizations like the World Wildlife Fund, Conservation International, the Wildlife Conservation Society, the United Nations, and National Geographic, itself, work to support global animal and habitat conservation efforts on many different fronts. They work with the government to establish and protect public lands, like national parks and wildlife refuges . They help write legislation, such as the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 in the United States, to protect various species. They work with law enforcement to prosecute wildlife crimes, like wildlife trafficking and illegal hunting (poaching). They also promote biodiversity to support the growing human population while preserving existing species and habitats. National Geographic Explorers, like conservation biologist Charudutt Mishra and conservation technologist Rebecca Ryakitimbo, are working to slow the extinction of global species and to protect global biodiversity and habitats. Environmental filmmakers and photographers, like Thomas P. Peschak and Joel Sartore, are essential to conservation efforts as well, documenting and bringing attention to endangered wildlife all over the world.

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Related Resources

Wildlife Conservation Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on wildlife conservation.

Wildlife, like trees, is also a domestic asset that not only helps to maintain the ecological balance but also benefits from financial, recreational and aesthetic points of perspective. There was a time when the number of wild animals was quite large when human interference was minimum and there was no issue with their safety or conservation. But, with the development of farming , settlement, industrial and other development activities, and primarily due to man’s greed, the number of wild animals gradually decreased and decreased. As a consequence, several animal species have become extinct and several are on the brink of being so. The Wildlife Conservation Essay is an insight into the requirements of conserving wildlife globally.

Deforestation

Deforestation is also a major cause of wildlife loss. Mass murders of wild animals are taking place all over the globe for their meat, bones, fur, teeth, hair, skin, etc. The need for conservation of wildlife has now become a necessity.

Population growth, agricultural and livestock development, urban and road building, and pollution are among the many pressures on wildlife’s natural habitat. In addition to illegal hunting, the decrease of habitat and its degradation has endangered the biodiversity of the widespread areas.

Wildlife preservation does not imply blanket protection for all species of fauna and flora; rather, it means adequate, judicious control over the multiplication of crops and animals that communicate to provide a suitable atmosphere for the man whose very life is at risk today.

In the past, due to the irrational use of the earth’s natural and biotic resources, most wildlife was demolished after recovery. It is our immediate responsibility to safeguard the ecosystem’s natural splendor and to develop a system of coexistence with every living creature on earth.

While the world’s nations must be very specific in terms of wildlife conservation, the amount of wildlife is diminishing day by day. The World Wild Life Fund is a global organization that does a praiseworthy job of encouraging wildlife protection. National agencies are also involved in wildlife conservation.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Steps Towards Wildlife Conservation

• To study and retrieve all wildlife data, in particular, the amount and development of wildlife.
• Habitat protection through forest protection.
• Delimiting their natural habitat regions.
• Protecting animals against pollution and natural hazards.
• Full limitation on wildlife hunting and capture.
• To impose constraints on the export and importation of wildlife products and to impose serious penalties on those engaged in such activity.
• Developing game sanctuaries for particular wildlife or world life in particular.
• Special arrangements should be made to safeguard those very restricted species.
• To create a general understanding of wildlife protection at domestic and international level.
• The adoption by trained personnel of a wildlife management system.

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Find out more..., essays on wildlife conservation.

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MarineBio is proud to present Essays on Wildlife Conservation written and edited by Dr. Peter Moyle, et al. for an introductory course on wildlife conservation taught at the University of California, Davis.

The essays were written for students who are not only biology majors and are broad in scope. These chapters provide an introduction to the history of wildlife in North America, biodiversity, natural selection, conservation biology, ecology, conservation legislation, alien species, wildlife and pollution, and things we can all do to save wildlife. We think you will find that they are not only fascinating to read but also very useful toward understanding the myriad of issues concerning conservation efforts today.

If you do use these readings, please inform Dr. Moyle ( [email protected] ). If you significantly modify the essays, please provide Dr. Moyle with an electronic copy of your final version (or a link to it). Comments and corrections are always welcome.

These particular essays are copyrighted by the Regents, University of California, but the only stipulation I have about their use for non-profit purposes is that their source be acknowledged.

About Peter Moyle, PhD. Peter Moyle  has been studying the ecology and conservation of freshwater and estuarine fishes in California for over 30 years. He has documented the declining status of many native species in California as well as the invasions of alien species. The interactions among native and alien species in environments with varying degrees of disturbance have provided the basis for his ecological studies. Dr. Moyle served as member of the Sierra Nevada Ecosystem Project science team (1994-1996), developing strategies for the conservation of fish, amphibians, and watersheds in the mountain range that forms the state’s backbone (and main source of water). He is currently a member of the Independent Science Board for the CALFED Ecosystem Restoration Program, which advises a consortium of state and federal agencies on restoration activities for the Sacramento-San Joaquin watershed, one of the largest aquatic restoration projects ever attempted. He is author/coauthor of over 150 scientific papers and 5 books. For those of you who fish, keep an aquarium or just admire fish for what they are, he shamelessly recommends his  Fish: an enthusiast’s guide , a cheap paperback published by University of California Press. The completely revised and updated version of his book  Inland Fishes of California  was recently published by the Press as well (2002). He is a professor of fish biology in the  Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis , where he teaches basic courses in ichthyology, wildlife conservation and watershed ecology.

Edited by  Peter Moyle  & Douglas Kelt

Foreword: A Reader on Wildlife Conservation

JULY 2004 Peter Moyle

The dodo was a large flightless pigeon that once inhabited the remote island of Mauritius. It was clubbed into extinction by sailors in the 17th century for food and sport. The dodo is remembered today mainly as a symbol of stupidity: it was too dumb to get out of the way of humans and was therefore wiped out. Unfortunately, most species sharing this island planet with us are dodos. They cannot get out of the way of human “progress” and will be beaten to extinction unless we actively protect them and their habitats. The essays that follow attempt to demonstrate why this last statement is true and also describe how humans and other forms of life are interdependent. They also provide some ethical and practical tools you can use to help improve the situation. If you choose not to be consciously involved in the conservation of forms of life other than your own, you should at least be aware that by doing nothing you are still having an impact on the biota of this planet. The water you drink, the food you eat, the land you live on, and the air you pollute were all obtained at the expense of other creatures. The decisions we make today on how we are going to share these resources will determine which other species will inhabit Earth for the indefinite future.

The course for which this reader was written, WFC 10, has been taught at the University of California Davis since about 1970. The change in subject matter over the short period of time since its inception reflects the change in the attitudes towards wild vertebrates (wildlife) of biologists, wildlife managers and the public. The earliest versions of the course were concerned primarily with economically important species such as deer, ducks, trout, and salmon and how to manage them to provide maximum harvest. Endangered species and environmental degradation were discussed only as a minor component of the lectures. Gradually the emphasis has shifted. The management of economically important species of wildlife is still discussed in the course but in the context of a concern for the preservation of all wildlife, from the most obscure species of small fish to spectacular predators like mountain lions. The course does focus on vertebrates as the traditional “wildlife”, but vertebrates should be regarded mainly as the forms of life with which we have the most empathy, being vertebrates ourselves. The conservation problems we are having with vertebrates are problems we are having with all forms of life and their interactions with each other (biodiversity). The conservation of biodiversity is the subject of a new, rapidly growing field called Conservation Biology. Conservation Biology gets its theory from ecology and the social sciences, its applied orientation from traditional wildlife and wildland management, and its ethics and energy from the environmental movement. This course is now in many respects a course in conservation biology, emphasizing vertebrates.

The essays in this electronic book have the following progression. The first two essays deal with the history of human-wildlife interactions. These are followed by a series of essays on basic biogeography, ecology, and evolution. The remaining essays deal with conservation problems and how to solve them. The final essay is about what you can do at a personal level to affect positive change. To round out these readings, various published papers, book chapters, essays, and other materials are used.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The first versions of many of these essays were produced in graduate seminar in textbook writing in 1990, by Dianne Leonard, Robert J. Meese, Tim F. Ginnett, Anitra Pawley, Anne Brasher, Steve Ellsworth, Michael Brown, and Jay Davis. The chapters have gone through several major revisions since that time. Douglas Kelt, who also teaches this WFC 10, has provided input on many aspects of the course and wrote the chapter on biogeography. Mary Orland helped to produce this particular version, as a postdoctoral scholar funded through the endowment for the President’s Chair in Undergraduate Education, co-held in 2003-2006 by myself and Jeffrey Mount of Geology. I am also appreciative of the many graduate student teaching assistants and undergraduate students who read the chapters and pointed out errors of commission and omission, thus helping to make these essays into dynamic documents. Further comments are always welcome.

Coexisting with our environment and the awe inspiring wildlife that inhabits it seems to be in short supply today. The threats to both just keep on coming, loss of habitat, trophy hunting chemical use etc. We must not bury our head in our hands however, taking action and not just tweeting something is important. We can all find something to do to help.

We couldn’t agree more. If you haven’t already, you might check out our facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/marinebio/ where there are many of us that feel the same way. Stay safe.      

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• Essay on Wildlife Conservation

500+ Words Essay on Wildlife Conservation

Going by the importance of climate change and associated topics are garnering importance worldwide, an essay on Wildlife Conservation for students in English is an expected topic in the English exams. To prepare well in advance Vedantu has brought this essay for you. It is written by experts having expertise in English. Enough data and content are brought to you so that you can recall maximum points in the exam. This will ensure you achieve amazing marks in the English examination.

Let’s Being with the Essay on Wildlife Conservation for Students in English

Like forests, wildlife consisting of animals, birds, insects, etc. living in the forest is a national resource, which not only helps in maintaining the ecological balance but is also beneficial for various economic activities that generate revenue from tourism. The rich flora and fauna also play a major role in maintaining the ecological balance of a region. There was a time when human needs were minimal and there was bare interference in the wildlife. There is no denying the fact that due to urbanization, pollution, and human interventions wildlife is rapidly disappearing from the planet.

Today the biodiversity of the world is threatened due to the extinction of species. There are thirty-five hotspots around the world, which supports 43% of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians as endemic. The IUCN has compiled a list of species and has classified the different species under extinct, critically endangered, less endangered, vulnerable, near threatened, and least concerned. This list is called the Red Data Book. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the number of birds, animals, marine and freshwater creatures has dropped by almost one-third of its earlier population.

Causes for Decline or Threat to Wildlife

One of the major reasons for the constant decline of wildlife is human’s ever-increasing demands and greed that have led to deforestation and habitat destruction. For development and urbanization, man has chopped down trees to build dams, highways, and towns and this has forced the animals to retreat further and further into the receding forests.

Rapid industrialization and urbanization due to the fast growth in population in recent decades have taken a heavy toll on wildlife. Global warming and extensive environmental pollution have largely threatened wildlife as they lead to habitat destruction and rising temperature.

There is a huge demand for animal fur, skin, meat, bone, etc. across the globe that has led to a decrease in the wildlife population. Poachers kill the animals for the illegal trading of their body parts. For example, elephants are massively poached for ivory, rhinoceros are poached in Assam for their horns. The desire to keep animals in captivity or their desire to consume certain animals as exotic food has resulted in the disappearance of many animal species such as tigers and deer.

Forest fires, food shortage, increase in the number of predators, extreme weather conditions and other extraneous reasons have led to the extinction and endangerment of many species. For instance, the recent forest fires in the Amazon (Brazil), Uttarakhand (India), Australia, etc. lead to the death of many animals every year. 

Many types of animals, birds, and fauna are needed to retain the ecological balance. They are considered necessary for scientific research and experiments that will benefit mankind.

Steps to Conserve Wildlife

The protection and conservation of wildlife is the need of the hour. Some conservation efforts which are widely implemented are given below:

Afforestation:

First and most importantly, humans need to have control over their needs. We need to prevent man from felling trees unnecessarily. Trees should be replanted if they are felled.

Pollution is one of the major causes that have led to the destruction of the habitat of animal species. Pollution of the environment like air pollution, water pollution, and soil pollution hurts the entire ecosystem. It has become of utmost importance to control environmental pollution.

More campaigns must be launched to raise awareness in humans on the need to keep our environment clean. A man should be responsible to maintain a healthy and balanced ecosystem so they should be cordial with the environment. More organizations like PETA should be set up to create awareness among people for the protection of wildlife.

Population:

The man should consciously put a check on the rapid growth of the population. The slow growth of population will decrease the rate of urbanization and that will have a major impact on the preservation of wildlife.

Wildlife Sanctuaries:

Wildlife sanctuaries should be made to ensure the protection of the areas of ecological significance. Under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 various provisions for protecting habitats of wildlife are made by constructing national parks and sanctuaries. These parks and sanctuaries ensure the protection and maintenance of endangered species.

Ban of Illegal Activities:

Illegal activities like hunting, poaching, and killing animals, birds, etc. for collections and illegal trade of hides, skins, nails, teeth, horns, feathers, etc. should be strictly prohibited and severe punishments and fines should be imposed on people who do these kinds of activities.

Community initiatives

Communities come together to take various conservation initiatives such as the establishment of community forests, raising their voice against illegal activities, creating awareness among the masses, raising voice for the rights of the animals, conserving animals of cultural significance, and many more. For example, members of the Bishnoi community of Rajasthan are very vocal against poaching activities in the region.    

Many countries have taken the initiative to help animals by proclaiming various birds and animals either as national animals or as protected species. In India, the government has launched a program of Joint Forest Management to protect the wildlife and their habitat. Under this program, responsibilities have been assigned to the village communities to protect and manage nearby forests and the wildlife in them.  Animal species have the right to live just like humans. Therefore, we should take every step to conserve them and ensure their survival and betterment.

Wildlife is an integral part of our planet. Wildlife plays a significant role in the ecology and the food chain. Disturbing their numbers or in extreme cases, extinction can have wide-ranging effects on ecology and humankind. Valuing and conserving forests and wildlife enhance the relation between man and nature. We want our future generation to be able to hear the lions roar and peacocks dancing with their extravagant feathers and not just see them in picture books. We must take steps today or else it will be too late and we should always remember 

“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed.”

-Mahatma Gandhi

FAQs on Essay on Wildlife Conservation

1. How is Wildlife Important for Humankind?

Wildlife comprises animals, birds, insects, and aquatic life forms. They provide us with a number of products, such as milk, meat, hides, and wools. Insects like bees provide us, honey. They help in the pollination of flowers and have an important role to play as decomposers in the ecosystem. The birds act as decomposers by feeding on insects. Birds like vultures are known as scavengers and cleansers of the environment by feeding on dead livestock. Thus, wildlife helps in maintaining ecological balance.

2. Why Should we Conserve Biodiversity?

We should conserve biodiversity because it is very significant for all living organisms and for the environment. We must conserve biodiversity to save it from becoming extinct.

3. Why are Animals Poached?

The animals are hunted and poached for collection and illegal trade of skins, fur, horns, skins, and feathers.

4. Write Two Steps that the Government has Taken to Conserve Wildlife.

The two steps that the government has taken to conserve wildlife are:

In order to conserve wildlife, the government has established national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves.

Many awareness programs are launched by the government to create awareness of protecting wildlife.

5. What is the importance of essays on Wildlife Conservation for students in English?

Essay on Wildlife Conservation is a topic given to students because it serves many purposes and holds a lot of importance in the present times. Before starting the essay, students will do adequate research to get enough data about the topic. In the process, they will learn a lot about wildlife conservation. While writing this essay they will learn to empathize with the plight of the animals. Also, they will become better at expressing themselves in written words by writing an essay on this topic as it is a very sensitive topic. This essay will not just help them in fetching excellent marks but it will also sensitize them about the current happenings.

6. What message does an essay on Wildlife Conservation for students in English carry?

Essay on Wildlife Conservation for students in English carries a very significant message that emphasizes the importance of the conservation efforts taken and that are needed. The essay talks about the efforts which have already been taken and are under implementation and it also talks about what needs to be done in the future. It also talks about why we need to conserve wildlife and what significance it holds. Overall the central message of the essay is to conserve and protect the wildlife as much as we can.  

7. What important points should be covered while writing an essay on Wildlife Conservation for students in English?

As such there are no rigid pointers that you need to cover while writing an essay on Wildlife Conservation, but you may use the following pointers for reference:

Definition of wildlife conservation

Explain the reasons for conserving the wildlife with valid points

Efforts that are taken by international agencies. This should also include various treaties and protocols signed 

Mention the efforts that are taken by the Indian government. Talk about various laws and legislations present.

Mention various provisions on the local level

Talk about various popular civil movements such as efforts undertaken by the Bishnoi Community

What can you do as students to conserve wildlife? Give suggestions and examples.

8. What steps taken by the government should be mentioned in the essay on Wildlife Conservation?

The Indian government has undertaken various measures to conserve wildlife in the country. You can mention some of these in the essay on Wildlife Conservation:

Wildlife Conservation Act, 1972

Schedules involved and protections provided to the animals

Conservation efforts for particular animals like tigers, elephants, etc.

Formation of various protected areas such as National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Biosphere reserves, etc.

Awards and accolades received by India on various international forums

Various international treaties and agreements were signed by India. 

Mention names of international grouping dedicated to conservation efforts whose India is a part of

You may refer to Vedantu’s forum to get more information about steps to conserve wildlife. 

9. In how many words should one write an essay on Wildlife Conservation?

Word count for writing an essay on Wildlife Conservation for students in English can vary depending on which standard the student is studying in. it can range from 300 words to 800 words. Accordingly, the level of writing and richness of the content should vary. You can refer to Vedantu’s guide on essays for further understanding the demand of any given topic. If the essay is being written by a student studying in class 10 then the essay should be data and opinion-driven. It should reflect the ideas and thoughts of the student that are substantiated with authentic data and valid reasons.

Essay on Wildlife Conservation

Introduction to Wildlife Conservation

Wildlife conservation is crucial for maintaining the planet’s ecological balance and preserving biodiversity. Wildlife faces numerous threats as human activities continue to expand, including habitat destruction, climate change, and poaching. The loss of wildlife impacts ecosystems and communities that depend on them for their livelihoods and cultural practices. For example, the African elephant, with its iconic status, is facing a severe poaching crisis due to the demand for ivory. Without conservation efforts, these magnificent creatures could face extinction in the wild. This essay explores the importance of wildlife conservation, the threats facing wildlife, and strategies to protect these vulnerable species.

Importance of Wildlife Conservation

• Biodiversity Preservation: Wildlife conservation helps maintain the diversity of life on Earth, ensuring that various species, ecosystems, and genetic diversity are preserved for future generations.
• Ecosystem Balance: Wildlife plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems. Species interact with each other and their environment in complex ways, and losing one species can have cascading effects on others.
• Economic Benefits: Wildlife conservation can have significant economic benefits, including ecotourism, which generates revenue and employment opportunities in local communities.
• Cultural Importance: Many cultures around the world have deep connections to wildlife, and conservation helps preserve these cultural practices and traditions.
• Ecological Services: Wildlife provides essential ecological services, such as pollination, seed dispersal, and nutrient cycling, which are vital for the health of ecosystems and human well-being.
• Medicinal Resources: Many wildlife species provide sources for medicines and other valuable products that can benefit human health.
• Climate Regulation: Wildlife plays a role in regulating the climate by sequestering carbon and contributing to the overall health of ecosystems.
• Education and Research: Wildlife conservation provides opportunities for education and research, helping us better understand the natural world and develop sustainable practices.
• Aesthetic and Recreational Value: Wildlife enriches our lives through its beauty and provides recreational activities like birdwatching and hiking opportunities.
• Ethical Considerations: Many people believe that wildlife has intrinsic value and a right to exist independent of its usefulness to humans, making conservation a moral imperative.

Threats to Wildlife

Threats to wildlife are numerous and diverse, ranging from direct human activities to broader environmental changes. Here are some of the major threats:

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• Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: One of the biggest threats to wildlife is the destruction and fragmentation of habitats due to human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture. This habitat loss reduces the available space for wildlife to live and thrive.
• Climate Change: Climate change alters habitats and ecosystems, making them less suitable for many species. Changes in temperature, precipitation patterns, and sea levels are affecting the distribution and behavior of wildlife.
• Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade: Poaching for body parts, such as ivory, horns, and skins, continues to threaten many species, including elephants, rhinos, and tigers. The illegal wildlife trade is a multi-billion-dollar industry that drives many species to the brink of extinction.
• Pollution: Pollution from various sources, including chemicals, plastics, and oil spills, can devastate wildlife. Pollutants can contaminate water and soil, harm ecosystems, and directly impact the health of wildlife.
• Overexploitation: Overexploitation of wildlife for food, medicine, pets, and other purposes can lead to population declines and even extinction. Unsustainable hunting and fishing practices can deplete populations faster than they can recover.
• Invasive Species: Invasive species introduced by humans can outcompete native species for resources, prey on them, or introduce diseases, leading to declines in native wildlife populations.
• Human-Wildlife Conflict: As human populations expand and encroach on wildlife habitats, conflicts between humans and wildlife increase. This can result in retaliatory killings of wildlife and further habitat destruction.
• Infrastructure Development: The construction of roads, dams, and other infrastructure can fragment habitats, disrupt wildlife migration routes, and increase the risk of collisions between wildlife and vehicles.
• Lack of Awareness and Conservation Efforts: A lack of awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation and inadequate conservation efforts can also threaten wildlife. Without proper conservation measures, species are more vulnerable to other threats.

Conservation Strategies

Conservation strategies aim to protect and restore ecosystems, preserve wildlife populations, and promote sustainable practices. Here are some key conservation strategies:

• Protected Areas: Establishing and maintaining protected areas, such as national parks, wildlife reserves, and marine protected areas, to safeguard habitats and wildlife from human activities.
• Habitat Restoration: Restoring degraded habitats through reforestation, wetland restoration, and other measures to improve habitat quality and connectivity for wildlife.
• Wildlife Corridors: Creating wildlife corridors or greenways to connect fragmented habitats, allowing species to move between areas and maintain genetic diversity.
• Anti-Poaching Efforts: Implementing measures to combat poaching, such as increasing patrols, strengthening law enforcement, and reducing demand for wildlife products.
• Community-Based Conservation: Involving local communities in conservation efforts through sustainable livelihoods, education, and partnerships to promote conservation while meeting their needs.
• Sustainable Land Use Practices: Promoting sustainable agriculture, forestry, and fisheries practices that minimize negative impacts on wildlife and ecosystems.
• Climate Change Mitigation: Addressing climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting renewable energy, and supporting climate-resilient habitats.
• Invasive Species Management: Managing and controlling invasive species to reduce their impact on native wildlife and ecosystems.
• Research and Monitoring: Conducting research and monitoring better to understand wildlife populations, habitats, and threats and to inform conservation strategies.
• Education and Awareness: Educating the public about the importance of wildlife conservation and promoting behavior change to reduce threats to wildlife.

Human-Wildlife Conflict

Human-wildlife conflict occurs when there are competition or antagonistic interactions between humans and wildlife, often resulting in negative consequences for both. Here are some key aspects of human-wildlife conflict:

• Causes: Human-wildlife conflict can arise due to various factors, including habitat loss and fragmentation, competition for resources such as food and water, crop raiding by wildlife, predation on livestock, property damage, and threats to human safety.
• Impacts on Humans: Human-wildlife conflict can have significant socio-economic impacts on communities, including crop losses, damage to property and infrastructure, loss of livelihoods, injuries, and even loss of human lives. These impacts can exacerbate poverty and food insecurity, particularly in rural areas.
• Impacts on Wildlife: Human-wildlife conflict can also negatively impact wildlife populations, including retaliatory killings, habitat destruction, reduced reproductive success, and fragmentation of habitats. This can lead to declines in wildlife populations and loss of biodiversity.
• Species Affected: A wide range of wildlife species can be involved in human-wildlife conflict, including large mammals such as elephants, big cats, bears, and wolves, as well as smaller animals like monkeys, deer, and rodents.
• Conflict Hotspots: Human-wildlife conflict tends to occur in areas where humans and wildlife overlap, such as agricultural lands, peri-urban areas, and areas adjacent to protected areas or natural habitats.
• Management Strategies: Various strategies, including preventive measures such as fencing, deterrents, and land-use planning, as well as reactive measures such as compensation schemes, translocation of problem animals, and community-based conflict resolution, can help mitigate human-wildlife conflict.
• Community Engagement: Engaging local communities in decision-making and implementing solutions is essential for addressing human-wildlife conflict effectively. This can involve participatory approaches, community-based monitoring, and capacity building to empower communities to coexist with wildlife.
• Policy and Legislation: Governments play a crucial role in addressing human-wildlife conflict by developing and enforcing policies promoting coexistence, protecting wildlife, and supporting affected communities.
• Research and Monitoring: Research on human-wildlife conflict’s causes, impacts, and dynamics is essential for informing management strategies and developing evidence-based solutions. Monitoring of conflict incidents and their outcomes can help assess the effectiveness of mitigation measures.
• Long-Term Solutions: Addressing the root causes of human-wildlife conflict, such as habitat loss, land-use change, and socio-economic disparities, is crucial for achieving long-term solutions that promote sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife. This may require integrated approaches that consider the needs of both people and wildlife and involve multiple stakeholders.

Economic Aspects of Wildlife Conservation

The economic aspects of wildlife conservation are multifaceted and interconnected with broader socio-economic factors. Here are some key economic aspects of wildlife conservation:

• Ecotourism: Wildlife conservation can stimulate economic growth through ecotourism, which involves visiting natural areas to observe wildlife. Ecotourism can create jobs, generate revenue for local communities, and provide incentives for conservation.
• Ecosystem Services: Wildlife conservation contributes to the provision of ecosystem services, such as pollination, water purification, and carbon sequestration, which have economic value for human well-being and livelihoods.
• Biodiversity-based Industries: Conservation of wildlife and habitats supports industries that rely on biodiversity, such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and biotechnology, by maintaining genetic resources and ecosystem functions.
• Cultural and Spiritual Values: Wildlife conservation can preserve cultural and spiritual values associated with wildlife, such as traditional practices, beliefs, and aesthetics, contributing to cultural heritage and identity.
• Property Values: Proximity to protected areas and wildlife habitats can increase property values, benefiting local economies and communities.
• Research and Education: Conservation efforts contribute to scientific research and education, creating opportunities for innovation, capacity building, and knowledge transfer.
• Regulation and Enforcement: Wildlife conservation regulations and enforcement mechanisms incur costs but are necessary for preventing illegal activities, such as poaching and habitat destruction, which can have long-term economic consequences.
• Sustainable Resource Use: Conservation promotes sustainable resource use practices, which can lead to long-term economic benefits by ensuring the availability of resources for future generations.
• Opportunity Costs: Conservation often involves trade-offs, as protecting wildlife and habitats may require limiting certain economic activities, such as logging, mining, or agriculture, which can have short-term economic costs.
• Externalities: Wildlife conservation can generate positive externalities, such as improved ecosystem health and resilience, benefiting society as a whole but not necessarily captured in market transactions.

Challenges and Limitations

Despite efforts to conserve wildlife, several challenges and limitations persist, hindering effective conservation outcomes. Here are some of the key challenges and limitations:

• Funding Constraints: Limited funding for conservation projects often restricts the scale and effectiveness of conservation efforts, leading to gaps in the protection and management of wildlife and habitats.
• Lack of Political Will: Inadequate political support and commitment to conservation initiatives can result in insufficient policies, enforcement, and allocation of resources for conservation efforts.
• Human-Wildlife Conflicts: Conflicts between humans and wildlife, such as crop raiding by elephants or livestock depredation by predators, can lead to negative perceptions of wildlife and undermine conservation efforts.
• Limited Stakeholder Engagement: Ineffective engagement with local communities, indigenous peoples, and other stakeholders can hinder conservation efforts, as their support and participation are crucial for successful conservation outcomes.
• Poverty and Livelihoods: Poverty and lack of alternative livelihood options can drive communities to engage in activities harmful to wildlife, such as poaching and illegal logging, undermining conservation efforts.
• Inadequate Law Enforcement: Weak law enforcement, corruption, and insufficient penalties for wildlife crimes contribute to illegal wildlife trade and poaching, exacerbating threats to wildlife populations.
• Climate Change: Climate change poses significant challenges to wildlife conservation by altering habitats, disrupting ecosystems, and increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.
• Limited Data and Information: Only complete or adequate data on wildlife populations, habitats, and threats can impede evidence-based conservation decision-making and monitoring of conservation outcomes.
• Conflicting Interests: Conflicts of interest between conservation goals and economic development, infrastructure projects, or resource extraction activities can compromise conservation efforts and lead to habitat destruction.
• Scale and Scope: The vast scale and complexity of conservation challenges, including global biodiversity loss and habitat degradation, require coordinated and sustained efforts at local, national, and international levels.

Role of Government and NGOs

Both governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play crucial roles in wildlife conservation, often collaborating to achieve conservation goals. Here’s how they contribute:

• Policy and Legislation: Governments are responsible for creating and implementing laws and regulations designed to safeguard wildlife and their natural habitats. This includes establishing protected areas, regulating hunting and trade, and setting conservation goals.
• Resource Management: Governments manage natural resources , including wildlife, through agencies such as wildlife departments, national parks, and forestry departments, ensuring sustainable use and conservation.
• Law Enforcement: Governments enforce wildlife protection laws through wildlife rangers, law enforcement agencies, and judiciary systems to combat poaching, illegal trade, and other wildlife crimes.
• Research and Monitoring: Governments fund and research wildlife populations, habitats, and threats to inform conservation strategies and monitor the effectiveness of conservation efforts.
• International Cooperation: Governments collaborate with other countries through agreements such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to address transboundary conservation issues.

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

• Advocacy and Awareness: NGOs raise awareness about wildlife conservation issues, advocate for policy change, and mobilize public support for conservation efforts.
• Field Conservation: NGOs implement on-the-ground conservation projects, such as habitat restoration, anti-poaching efforts, and species conservation programs, often in collaboration with local communities.
• Research and Monitoring: NGOs conduct scientific research, monitor wildlife populations, and develop conservation strategies to protect endangered species and habitats.
• Capacity Building: NGOs build the capacity of local communities, governments, and other stakeholders to engage in effective conservation practices and sustainable natural resource management.
• Community Engagement: NGOs work closely with local communities, indigenous peoples, and other stakeholders to involve them in conservation decision-making and ensure conservation benefits local people.
• Partnerships and Collaboration: NGOs collaborate with governments, other NGOs, academia, and businesses to leverage resources, share expertise, and coordinate conservation efforts on a larger scale.

Case Studies

Here are some case studies of successful wildlife conservation projects from around the world:

• Conservation efforts for giant pandas in China have successfully upgraded the species from “endangered” to “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List. Conservation measures include establishing protected areas, habitat restoration, and captive breeding programs.
• Black Rhinoceros Conservation (Namibia): Namibia has implemented community-based conservation programs that involve local communities in rhino conservation and provide economic benefits from ecotourism. As a result, black rhino populations have increased in some areas.
• Mountain Gorilla Conservation (Rwanda, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo): Conservation efforts, including anti-poaching patrols, community engagement, and tourism revenue sharing, have helped increase mountain gorilla populations in the Virunga Massif and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
• California Condor Recovery Program (USA): The California Condor Recovery Program has successfully increased the population of critically endangered California condors through captive breeding, habitat protection, and monitoring programs.
• Tiger Conservation (India): India’s Project Tiger, launched in 1973, has been instrumental in conserving tiger populations by establishing tiger reserves, improving habitat, and anti-poaching efforts, leading to an increase in tiger numbers.
• Sea Turtle Conservation (Costa Rica): Conservation efforts in Costa Rica have helped protect nesting beaches, reduce bycatch, and increase awareness about the importance of sea turtle conservation, leading to increased nesting populations.
• African Elephant Conservation (Kenya): Kenya’s anti-poaching efforts, community-based conservation programs, and wildlife corridors have helped protect African elephant populations and reduce poaching.

Future Outlook

The future of wildlife conservation faces both challenges and opportunities. Here are some key aspects of the future outlook for wildlife conservation:

• Climate Change: Climate change continues to impact wildlife and habitats, necessitating adaptive strategies to mitigate its effects on ecosystems and species.
• Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: Addressing ongoing habitat loss and fragmentation will be critical to ensuring the survival of many species, requiring concerted efforts to protect and restore habitats.
• Technology and Innovation: Advances in technology, such as remote sensing, DNA analysis, and conservation drones, offer new tools for monitoring wildlife populations, combating poaching, and informing conservation strategies.
• Policy and Governance: Enhancing international cooperation, strengthening wildlife protection laws, and improving governance frameworks will be essential for effective conservation on a global scale.
• Human-Wildlife Coexistence: Promoting coexistence between humans and wildlife through innovative solutions, such as wildlife corridors, eco-friendly infrastructure, and community-based conservation, will be crucial for reducing conflicts and conserving biodiversity.
• Public Awareness and Education: Increasing public awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation and promoting sustainable lifestyles will be key to garnering support for conservation efforts.
• Sustainable Development: Integrating wildlife conservation into sustainable development agendas, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will be vital for balancing conservation with human development needs.
• Inclusive Conservation: Ensuring conservation efforts are inclusive and benefit local communities, indigenous peoples, and marginalized groups will be essential for long-term conservation success.
• Innovative Financing: Exploring new financing mechanisms, such as biodiversity offsets, conservation finance, and public-private partnerships, will be crucial for funding conservation projects and ensuring their sustainability.
• Adaptive Management: Embracing adaptive management approaches that allow for flexibility and learning from both successes and failures will be critical for effective conservation in an ever-changing world.

Wildlife conservation is imperative for maintaining biodiversity, ecological balance, and ecosystem services essential for human well-being. While facing numerous challenges, such as habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict, conservation efforts have shown promising results in protecting and restoring wildlife populations and habitats. The future of wildlife conservation depends on collaborative efforts involving governments, NGOs, local communities, and individuals. Sustainable practices, innovative solutions, and effective policies are crucial for ensuring the survival of wildlife species and promoting harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife. By valuing and conserving wildlife, we protect our natural heritage and secure a healthy planet for future generations.

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Wildlife and its contributions to sustainable development

Dr. Maria Böhmer, Ambassador Collin Beck, Ambassador Heiko Thoms, Ambassador Norachit Sinhaseni, Excellencies, Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen,

I am very pleased to join you to discuss wildlife’s contribution to sustainable development.It is clear that humans and wildlife are inseparably dependent on each other – ultimately, if one suffers, the other will suffer too.

We reap multiple socio-economic benefits from wildlife in the form of food supply, pollinators, pest control, medicinal use and genetic resources, just to mention a few. Wildlife and natural landscapes are also the mainstays of tourism in many countries. In addition to this instrumental value, as humans, we must also respect the intrinsic value of other species and remember our responsibility to protect them.

Our wildlife faces two main threats: habitat loss and illegal trade.

Wildlife and biodiversity in general are threatened by land use change and land degradation, deforestation, pollution, climate change and ocean acidification. These are all issues that also threaten the well-being of human beings and sustainable development. When natural habitats for wildlife are degraded and biodiversity is lost, crucial ecosystem services are compromised also for humans, most often affecting first the poor and the most vulnerable, women and children.

In addition to protecting the habitats of wildlife, we need also to protect it against illegal hunting, poaching and trafficking. Global trade in illegal wildlife is a growing illicit economy, estimated to be worth billions of US dollars annually. It poses a major threat to many species on the brink of extinction. 

While we need to address illegal poaching directly, we must also take measures to end the demand for illegally traded wildlife and wildlife products. Without a large and growing demand, there would not be a large and growing supply. 

There is also growing evidence of the link between wildlife conservancy and peace and security. Crime syndicates involved in illegal poaching and trafficking of wildlife are also often connected to the illegal drugs trade or other forms of trafficking. These involve sophisticated supply chains using modern technology, as well as bribes and corruption, to deliver the goods to buyers.

The nature of wildlife crime has also changed. There is growing concern that, instead of rifles and traps, poachers are using more and more sophisticated and powerful weapons, some of which are acquired, it is believed, from armed conflicts in the regions.

This brings us to the question of what is being financed with this illegal trade. As you may know, the Security Council adopted two resolutions in January, one relating to the Central African Republic, the other to the Democratic Republic of Congo, that stated that the illegal wildlife trade was financing organized crime in the region.

The Secretary-General’s report that preceded these resolutions highlighted the increasing links between poaching, weapons proliferation and regional insecurity. It is clear that wildlife poaching is not only an environmental matter or a question of conserving certain endangered species. It is a matter of peace and security, personal security, good governance and social cohesion. Therefore we need to support efforts such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, to curb this illegal trade.

As you know, the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals has just concluded its stock-taking phase. During the thematic discussions Member States gave prominence to biodiversity and wildlife. They highlighted the need to safeguard and protect ecosystems and ecosystems services and halt the loss of biodiversity. As well as to tackle the root causes of these phenomena.

The work on SDGs continues this week. It is clear that, our efforts towards sustainable development cannot yield irreversible results without protection of biodiversity and wildlife.

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Why is Wildlife Conservation Crucial to a Sustainable Future?

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The natural assets of the Earth include plants, animals, water, land, the atmosphere, and humans. In the last four decades, the world has lost an overwhelming number of species due to human misconduct, such as deforestation, overpopulation, climate change, animal exploitation, and consumer culture.

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Experts have stated that the world is losing species in the range of 1,000 to 10,000 times higher than the natural extinction rate. It is important to maintain biodiversity because the health of the planet depends on it. Wildlife conservation involves protecting endangered plant and animal species and this is critical for a sustainable future.

What is Wildlife Conservation?

The continual rapid growth of the world population implies that natural resources would be consumed faster. This growth displaces particularly animals and plants for land development or agriculture. Scientists have indicated that sustainable use of wildlife will provide long-term stability to the global population.

Wildlife conservation is a practice of safeguarding animals and plants species and their habitat from extinction. As a part of the ecosystem, wildlife provides stability to natural processes. Besides protecting wildlife and plant species, another objective of wildlife conservation is educating people to live sustainably with other species.

Many national and international organizations, such as Conservation International, the Wildlife Conservation Society, World Wildlife Fund, and the United Nations, have been supporting global wildlife and habitat conservation. They collaborate with governments to develop national parks and wildlife refuges. These organizations promote biodiversity to support the human population while protecting the existing species.

Loss of Biodiversity- A Threat to Humanity

According to World Economic Forum’s 2020 Global Risk Report, loss of biodiversity, which could collapse the ecosystem, is one of the top five threats humanity will face in the next ten years. Since ancient times, human society and economies have been dependent on biodiversity. Countless flora and fauna have been utilized by humans, across the world, in their daily lives for food, furniture, housing, etc.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has been one of the foremost institutions for wildlife conservation through the regulation of international trade. They have developed a framework that has regulated the use of wildlife and their habitats and, thereby, supported both conservation and human well-being.

These international communities have integrated wildlife conservation with sustainable development. This is an important step to protect the remaining animal species on Earth. Rapid urbanization and other such developments have affected the wildlife and other objects of nature, tremendously. For instance, whale sharks are rapidly declining due to fishing and illegal poaching, and many species of vultures are on the verge of extinction.

CITES has focused on conserving African carnivores, such as the African lion, the cheetah, the leopard, and the African wild dog. Scientists, governments, private sectors, and many other organizations have come together and have focused on protecting animal and plant species from extinction.

Can We Link Wildlife Conservation with Sustainable Future?

Interestingly, scientists have linked wildlife conservation with a sustainable future. They further connected this concept with the eradication of poverty and hunger and improvement of the overall health of the planet and humans. Many organizations, such as CITES, have brought governments together to build a global biodiversity framework, which has strengthened conservation efforts.

Many examples show wildlife conservation has provided sustainability. The CITES Convention in 1975, prohibited the international trade of vicuña ( Lama vicugna ), an animal species endemic to the highlands of the South American Andes and which was exploited to near extinction for the high-quality fiber of wool. Subsequently, national vicuña populations recovered and several sub-species have been allowed for the resumption of a regulated trade.

Since 2007, the Government of Bolivia has implemented a vicuña fiber harvesting program, which rapidly developed into an industry that accounted for around 20 percent of the country’s exports. This program empowered local communities without endangering vicuñas. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, this species has now been listed in the category of “Least Concern” for extinction. Similarly, controlled harvesting of seawater crocodiles by Aboriginal groups in Australia’s Northern Territories has proved to be economically as well as environmentally beneficial.

Importance of Global Frameworks to Conserve Wildlife

Taking into account the current biodiversity loss crisis, it is vital to promote the importance of conserving wildlife for a sustainable future. Research has shown that the implementation of a global framework for trade regulation, and government efforts to empower communities, has boosted the conservation of plants, animals, birds, and marine species. This shows controlled trade could be profitable without endangering a species to extinction.

Researchers have highlighted that the application of the CITES framework for the conservation of wildlife has been beneficial for both animal and plant species, and to the people who depend on them.

Another benefit of wildlife conservation has been food security. Protecting forestry from deforestation and rebuilding forest habitats to preserve biodiversity assists in the carbon-sequestering process. This process enables capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide and, thereby, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Wildlife conservation also promotes agricultural biodiversity. Research has shown that a healthy ecosystem and biodiversity play a crucial role as a buffer between disease and humans. Several studies have also indicated that a decrease in biodiversity enhances the transmission of animal-borne diseases to humans.

Continue Reading: Solving the biodiversity crisis.

• Sustainable Use of Wildlife. (2022) [Online] Available at: https://www.fishwildlife.org/application/files/9716/0271/2569/Science-Brief-Sustainable-Use-FINAL.pdf
• How Saving Wildlife Benefits Humans – In Ways We Really Need. (2021) [Online] Available at: www.onegreenplanet.org/.../
• How Wildlife Conservation Can Benefit Sustainable Human Development. (2020) [Online] Available at: www.un.org/.../global-framework-wildlife-conservation-can-benefit-sustainable-human-development
• Wildlife conservation, sustainable development in spotlight at UN-backed conference. (2017) [Online] Available at: www.un.org/.../
• Why You Should Care About Wildlife. (2004) [Online] Available at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2014/03/03/why-you-should-care-about-wildlife

Further Reading

• All Agricultural Science Content
• Artificial Intelligence could help the agriculture industry meet increasing food demands
• Leaf litter converted to biochar could reduce N20 emissions from vegetable fields
• An analysis of the effects GM crops have on agriculture
• The use of natural hydrogels in food and agriculture practices

Last Updated: Mar 4, 2022

Dr. Priyom Bose

Priyom holds a Ph.D. in Plant Biology and Biotechnology from the University of Madras, India. She is an active researcher and an experienced science writer. Priyom has also co-authored several original research articles that have been published in reputed peer-reviewed journals. She is also an avid reader and an amateur photographer.

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

Bose, Priyom. (2022, March 04). Why is Wildlife Conservation Crucial to a Sustainable Future?. AZoLifeSciences. Retrieved on August 27, 2024 from https://www.azolifesciences.com/article/Why-is-Wildlife-Conservation-Crucial-to-a-Sustainable-Future.aspx.

Bose, Priyom. "Why is Wildlife Conservation Crucial to a Sustainable Future?". AZoLifeSciences . 27 August 2024. <https://www.azolifesciences.com/article/Why-is-Wildlife-Conservation-Crucial-to-a-Sustainable-Future.aspx>.

Bose, Priyom. "Why is Wildlife Conservation Crucial to a Sustainable Future?". AZoLifeSciences. https://www.azolifesciences.com/article/Why-is-Wildlife-Conservation-Crucial-to-a-Sustainable-Future.aspx. (accessed August 27, 2024).

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Wildlife Conservation Essay

500+ words essay on wildlife conservation.

After the evolution of humans, we have changed the land cover of the planet Earth. Wildlife means species of animals living in their natural habitats and not domesticated by humans. Wildlife is found in almost all grasslands, plains, rainforests, ecosystems, deserts, etc. It maintains stability in our environment and is involved in natural processes both directly and indirectly. So, living organisms found in the forest region are also considered wildlife. Every living organism plays a crucial role in the food chain: producer, consumer, or decomposer. All these roles are connected and depend on each other for survival.

Some of the primary reasons that lead to wildlife destruction are the increase in demand for meat leads to hunting, deforestation leads to scarcity of food and space, and natural disasters like floods and earthquakes cause wildlife destruction.

In India, we have a diversity of wildlife. It is a hub of a variety of animals. The ecosystem of India ranges from the Northern Himalayas to the evergreen rainforest of the south, the Western Ghats of the west, to the marshy mangroves of the east. The national animal of India, the Tiger, is found in various parts. Various national parks and sanctuaries have been set up to save tigers.

Wildlife helps in maintaining the ecological balance. Before, the count of wild animals was much greater, but the development of farming, developmental activities and hunting has led to a decrease in the number of wild animals. But, now, due to human interference, wildlife is getting affected and we are now becoming increasingly concerned about their safety and conservation. Unfortunately, many animals are already extinct due to these reasons, and a few of them are on the verge of extinction. So, it is crucial to safeguard these rare wildlife species. This essay on Wildlife Conservation will look at its significance and tackle the situation.

Deforestation

Deforestation means cutting down trees from forests at a large scale for human activities. It is an unavoidable environmental concern as it leads to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, disturbance in the water cycle and damage to natural habitats. It is also a significant contributor to global warming and climate change.

Approximately forests cover 31% of the Earth’s total land surface. Between 2000 and 2012, over 568 million acres of forest have been claimed by deforestation. In 2018, approximately 9 million acres of virgin tropical forest were cut down. 20% of the world’s oxygen supply comes from the Amazon rainforest. Due to deforestation, every minute, approximately 1.32 acres are lost.

Due to road construction, pollution, and agricultural development, our wildlife is disturbed. Due to illegal hunting, some wild animals are on the verge of extinction.

We should be serious about wildlife conservation because much of wildlife is being rapidly wiped off the earth. The World Wildlife Fund is a global organisation that works towards wildlife protection. National agencies are also involved in wildlife conservation.

Importance of Wildlife Conservation

For our ecosystem, wildlife is an essential aspect. Below, we have listed a few reasons to conserve wildlife:

For medicinal values – Wild plants cover one-third of the pharmaceutical needs. Forests provide great scope for experiments and research for medical science and technology. It also offers excellent scope for the large-scale manufacture of therapeutic medicines.

Keeps our environment healthy – It helps in balancing temperatures globally. It also helps in fighting against the greenhouse effect and controlling the rising sea levels.

Helps in maintaining ecological balance – The interdependence of plants and animals is essential in this aspect.

Economic importance – From forests, we can obtain raw materials which help in the country’s economic growth and contribute to a better standard of living.

How can we conserve wildlife?

Wildlife can be conserved by a strict observance of the following points:

• We can protect our wildlife by building more national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to protect animals in natural habitats.
• Species that are vulnerable and endangered should be kept in zoos or sanctuaries and bred for population increase.
• Deforestation should be prohibited strictly. Forests are home to a variety of wild animals.
• We should ban hunting animals.

Conclusion of Wildlife Conservation Essay

If all the animals are safe, people can live a very social and happy life. They are an integral part of our life. Some people harm animals because of their personal needs. We should all stop this and save them from getting beaten up or tortured because these innocent beings can’t speak up as we do.

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How does wildlife imbalance affect the human species.

All species on Earth are inter-related to one another and the sustenance of all these species is necessary. Humans are dependent on other species and also on the eco-system for various needs.

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Home — Essay Samples — Environment — Environmental Protection — Wildlife Conservation

Essay Types and Topics

Argumentative essay topics.

• The impact of climate change on wildlife conservation efforts
• Government policies and their influence on wildlife protection
• The ethical debate surrounding zoos and wildlife preservation

Example Paragraph: Climate change poses a significant threat to the world's wildlife, leading to habitat loss and species extinction. In this essay, we will explore the impact of climate change on wildlife conservation efforts and the urgent need for proactive measures to protect vulnerable species.

Example Paragraph: It is evident that climate change poses a grave threat to wildlife conservation. By implementing sustainable practices and raising awareness, we can work towards a future where wildlife thrives in a changing environment.

Compare and Contrast Essay Topics

• The conservation efforts for marine wildlife versus land-based species
• The impact of human activity on urban and rural wildlife habitats
• The similarities and differences in conservation approaches across different countries

Descriptive Essay Topics

• An exploration of a wildlife sanctuary or conservation area
• The behavior and habitat of a specific endangered species
• The intricate ecosystem of a rainforest and its conservation challenges

Persuasive Essay Topics

• The importance of sustainable living in wildlife conservation
• The role of community involvement in protecting wildlife habitats
• The need for stricter laws to combat illegal wildlife trade

Narrative Essay Topics

• A personal experience with wildlife conservation efforts
• An imaginary journey to a world without wildlife protection
• The inspiring story of a successful wildlife rehabilitation program

Engagement and Creativity

Essay writing is an opportunity to explore your interests and critical thinking skills. We encourage you to choose a topic that resonates with you and to approach your writing with creativity and enthusiasm. Your unique perspective and passion for the subject can greatly enhance the quality of your essay.

Educational Value

Each essay type offers valuable learning outcomes. Argumentative essays develop analytical thinking and persuasive writing skills, while compare and contrast essays foster critical analysis and organizational abilities. Descriptive essays enhance your observational and descriptive abilities, while persuasive essays strengthen your ability to influence and persuade. Narrative essays encourage the development of storytelling and narrative techniques.

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The effect of covid-19 lockdown on the wildlife conservation, beyond the limit: understanding the urgency of overfishing, the end of abundance: the impact of overfishing on oceans, saving the seas: causes and solutions to overfishing, how to conserve biodiversity: exploring some principles and strategies, importance and benefits of solar energy for planet and environment, conserving natural resources: nurturing our planet's lifelines, the lady and the tiger analysis, importance of game wardens.

Wildlife conservation refers to the practice of protecting wild species and their habitats in order to maintain healthy wildlife species or populations and to restore, protect or enhance natural ecosystems.

Major threats to wildlife include habitat destruction, degradation, fragmentation, overexploitation, poaching, pollution and climate change.

Relevant topics

• Animal Ethics
• Waste Management
• Global Warming
• Air Pollution
• Climate Change
• Water Pollution
• Endangered Species

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94 Wildlife Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best wildlife topic ideas & essay examples, ⭐ good research topics about wildlife, 👍 simple & easy wildlife essay titles, ❓ research questions about wildlife.

• Wildlife Tourism Essay Tourism can lead to interference and destruction of the wildlife ecosystem, leading to decrease in the population of the animals and degradation of their habitats.
• Javan Rhinos: Wildlife Trading of Endangered Animals Out of the five rhino species, Javan rhinoceros is the most threatened species despite being in the ecosystem for millions of years, playing a crucial role in shaping the landscape by its feeding style.
• The Manas Wildlife Sanctuary A home to a great variety of wildlife and endangered species, the Manas Sanctuary is located in the Himalayan foothills, in the far eastern state of Assam.
• Human-Wildlife Conflict: Vehicle Collisions With Animals The issue of collisions between wildlife and motor vehicles is a major challenge in most countries owing to the unpredictability of the animals’ closing in correspondence to the vast sizes of the parks and lands […]
• Urban Wildlife Issues Actually, it is important to note that not all human developments are destructive; a focus toward taking care of or conserving animals in urban areas has promoted conservation and sustainability of environment and biodiversity.
• Wildlife Management in Urban Areas The end result of reducing the number of predator and carnivores in a given ecological system will cause an imbalance that allows organisms in the lower levels of the food chain to multiply to the […]
• Impact of Global Warming on Arctic Wildlife High surface temperatures lead to “the melting of ice in Polar Regions such as the Arctic and Antarctic regions causing a rise in the ocean and sea levels, which affects the amount and pattern of […]
• Wildlife in Art, Science and Public Attitudes In her opinion, Hirst’s approach to art that involves “taking things out of the world” to get to their essence is extremely contradictory and aims to oversimplify the concept of wilderness.
• American National Park Service and Wildlife The law reads in part: “to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such […]
• Oil Drilling in the Alaska Wildlife Refuge Therefore, drilling for oil in the Alaska Wildlife Refuge would be seen as an act that could potentially harm not only the wildlife and ecosystem in that location, but also affect the well-being of other […]
• Climate Crisis and Wildlife in Danger The structure of the presentation includes an explanation of the issue and reasons for the beagles’ rescue, followed by the time limit to find new homes for dogs and a chronology of facility inspections.
• The US Fish and Wildlife Service and the US Forrest Service Refuge Management Thus, the aim is to sustain natural resources with the purpose of providing people with the necessary benefits while ensuring the activities do not lead to the deterioration of the land.
• Wildlife Conservation and Food Safety for Human From the epidemiological investigation, the seafood market in Wuhan was termed as the cause of the outbreak and Coronavirus was identified as of bat origin.
• Immunization of the Wildlife Population Against Rabies The only way of reducing the number of casualties is by preventing the disease. The efficacy of the method is shown by significant achievements in the reduction of the number of rabies cases among the […]
• Should the Arctic National Wild Life Refuge Be Opened to Oil Drilling? The Baloney Detection Kit used in the series of discussions provides the guidelines for the arguments presented. Wherever there is a need to justify an argument advanced for the debate or against the drilling, the […]
• How Global Warming Has an Effect on Wildlife? According to one of the most detailed ecological studies of climate change, global warming is already directly affecting the lives of animals and plants living in various habitats across the world.
• Hunting in Wildlife Refuges in California In addition, the lack of regulations and the prohibition of hunting in wildlife refuges in its entirety has led to the overpopulation of certain species and the introduction of imbalance to the ecosystem, with the […]
• Wildlife Controls Around Commercial Airports Managing the safety of the airports is one of the most important responsibilities of civil aviation authorities around the world. Security in the aviation sector is the factors often given priority because of the magnitude […]
• Wildlife Control in and Around Airports The main purpose of the paper is to describe possible ways to protect and control the airport area from wild animals and birds that are potentially dangerous to the safety of passengers and can disrupt […]
• Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge’s Issues The article in question addresses the correlation between the value of property prices and the proximity of open spaces. The authors address two research questions, investigating the possibility of a correlation between the proximity of […]
• Relations of World Wildlife Fund for Nature and Media The purpose of this NGO is to safeguard nature and to stop the degradation of the planet’s environment and “to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature”.
• Wildlife Forensic DNA Laboratory and Its Risks The mission of the Wildlife Forensic DNA Laboratory is to provide evidence to governmental and non-governmental organizations to ensure the protection of the wildlife in the country.
• Water Transportation Industry’s Impact on Wildlife It is possible to note that emissions and the use of ballast water can be seen as serious issues that pose hazards to maritime animals.
• Wildlife Parks Visitor Management Issues Administrators of wildlife parks have to employ different strategies of visitor management to ensure that they have a balance of demand by visitors and the available regeneration capacity of the wildlife parks.
• Emerging Energy Development’ Impacts on Wildlife One of the major concerns involves the effect of energy development on wildlife and natural ecosystems. It is important to lessen the effects of energy development on wildlife and natural ecosystems.
• A Call for Conservation of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Though economic benefits of such drilling are obvious, they do not outweigh the need to preserve the pristine nature of the area o the benefit of thousands of animal and plant species that depend on […]
• Learning During Wildlife Tours in Protected Areas: Towards a Better Understanding of the Nature of Social Relations in Guided Tours
• Wildlife-Based Recreation and Local Economic Development
• Location-Specific Modeling for Optimizing Wildlife Management on Crop Farms
• African Wildlife Policy: Protecting Wildlife Herbivores on Private Game Ranches
• Illegal Logging, Fishing, and Wildlife Trade
• Network Structure and Perceived Legitimacy in Collaborative Wildlife Management
• Protected Areas, Wildlife Conservation, and Local Welfare
• Habitat Conservation, Wildlife Extraction, and Agricultural Expansion
• The Transaction Costs Tradeoffs of Private and Public Wildlife Management
• Caring for Native Wildlife Securing Permit and Approval
• Evaluating Tax Policy Proposals for Funding Nongame Wildlife Programs
• Dealing With Wildlife Damage to Crops
• Clear Forest Cause Extinction of Wildlife
• Forensic Techniques for Wildlife Crime
• Bird and Wildlife Management at Airports
• Economic Benefits, Conservation and Wildlife Tourism
• Environmental Plans and Wildlife Management Programs
• The Current Issues Involving Wind Farms and Wildlife
• Ecological Fever: The Evolutionary History of Coronavirus in Human-Wildlife Relationships
• Opportunities for Transdisciplinary Science to Mitigate Biosecurity Risks From the Intersectionality of Illegal Wildlife Trade With Emerging Zoonotic Pathogens
• Mitigation Measures for Wildlife in Wind Energy Development
• Ecology and Wildlife Risk Evaluation Analysis
• Ethical Considerations for Wildlife Reintroductions and Rewilding
• Save Wildlife and Forest for Our Future Generations
• Spatial Data Analysis and Study of Wildlife Conservation
• Global Warming and Its Threat to the Future of Wildlife and Its Habitat
• Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s Blackfish: Treatment of the Sea World and Marine Wildlife
• Information and Wildlife Valuation: Experiments and Policy
• Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Seasons of Life and Land
• Identifying and Assessing Potential Wildlife Habitat Corridors
• Regulating the Global Fisheries: The World Wildlife Fund, Unilever, and the Marine Stewardship Council
• Wildlife Gardening and Connectedness to Nature: Engaging the Unengaged
• Urban Sprawl: Impact Upon Wildlife
• Human Activities, Wildlife Corridors, and Laws and Policies
• Pollution and Its Effects on Wildlife
• Tourism, Poaching, and Wildlife Conservation: What Can Integrated Conservation and Development Projects Accomplish
• Wildlife-Based Tourism and Increased Tourist Support for Nature Conservation Financially and Otherwise
• Supporting Sustainable Livelihoods Through Wildlife Tourism
• Evolving Urban Wildlife Health Surveillance to Intelligence for Pest Mitigation and Monitoring
• Gray Lodge Wildlife Area: A Home for the Animals
• Can Local Communities Afford Full Control Over Wildlife Conservation?
• What Is the Biggest Threat to Wildlife Today?
• What Are the Major Causes of Loss of Wildlife?
• Should the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Be Opened to Oil Drilling?
• How Does Hunting Affect Wildlife?
• What Are the Effects of Wildlife Depletion?
• What Is the Importance of Wildlife?
• What Human Activities Badly Affect Wildlife?
• What Will Happen if We Don’t Protect Wildlife?
• What Are the Top Ten Ways to Save Wildlife?
• What Are Man-Wildlife Conflicts?
• What Are the Five Major Impacts Humans Have on the Environment?
• How Killing Animals Affect the Wildlife Environment?
• How Can We Prevent Human-Wildlife Conflict?
• Where Is the Best Place to See Wildlife in the US?
• What US National Park Has the Most Wildlife?
• Does Florida Have a Lot of Wildlife?
• What Wildlife Is in Yellowstone?
• What Country Has the Most Exotic Wildlife?
• How Humans Are Affecting Wildlife?
• What Country Has the Best Wildlife?
• What Continent Has the Most Wildlife?
• What Is the Wildlife of Asia?
• Which Country in Asia Has the Most Wildlife?
• What Is the Most Common Wildlife in the Arctic?
• Expedition Ideas
• Zoo Research Ideas
• Ecotourism Questions
• Biodiversity Research Topics
• Ecosystem Essay Topics
• National Parks Research Topics
• Environmental Protection Titles
• Animal Welfare Ideas
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IvyPanda . "94 Wildlife Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." March 2, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/wildlife-essay-topics/.

• Research article
• Open access
• Published: 14 September 2020

Coexistence between human and wildlife: the nature, causes and mitigations of human wildlife conflict around Bale Mountains National Park, Southeast Ethiopia

• Sefi Mekonen   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-7712-9211 1  

BMC Ecology volume  20 , Article number:  51 ( 2020 ) Cite this article

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Human–wildlife conflict occurs when the needs and behavior of wildlife impact negatively on humans or when humans negatively affect the needs of wildlife. To explore the nature, causes and mitigations of human wildlife conflict, the coexistence between human and wildlife assessment was conducted around Bale Mountains National Park. Data were collected by means of household questionnaires, focus group discussion, interview, field observation and secondary sources. The nature and extent of human wildlife conflict in the study area were profoundly impacted humans, wild animal and the environment through crop damage, habitat disturbance and destruction, livestock predation, and killing of wildlife and human. The major causes of conflict manifested that agricultural expansion (30%), human settlement (24%), overgrazing by livestock (14%), deforestation (18%), illegal grass collection (10%) and poaching (4%). To defend crop raider, farmers have been practiced crop guarding (34%), live fencing (26%), scarecrow (22%), chasing (14%), and smoking (5%). However, fencing (38%), chasing (30%), scarecrow (24%) and guarding (8%) were controlling techniques to defend livestock predator animals. As emphasized in this study, human–wildlife conflicts are negative impacts on both human and wildlife. Accordingly, possible mitigate possibilities for peaceful co-existence between human and wildlife should be create awareness and training to the local communities, identifying clear border between the closure area and the land owned by the residents, formulate rules and regulation for performed local communities, equal benefit sharing of the local communities and reduction of human settlement encroachment into the national park range. Generally, researcher recommended that stakeholders and concerned bodies should be creating awareness to local community for the use of wildlife and human–wildlife conflict mitigation strategies.

Introduction

Human–wildlife conflict (HWC) occurs when the needs and behavior of wildlife impact negatively on humans or when humans negatively affect the needs of wildlife. These conflicts may result when wildlife damage crops, threaten, kill or injure people and domestic animals [ 33 ]. These are as critical problems created by the growing rural population in and around wildlife habitats [ 34 ]. Human–wildlife conflict incidents are widespread but not evenly distribute because they are dependent on the proximity of wildlife. In addition, different species cause different types of damage at different times of the year. The damage caused has variable effects on the livelihood of households depending on their level of livelihood security at the time of the incident [ 27 ]. One major cause of human–wildlife conflict is increasing human population adjacent to wildlife habitats. As human population increases and the demand for resources grow, the frequency and intensity of such conflicts increases [ 29 ]. This can be manifested by increasing encroachment to wildlife habitats. As a result, the populations of those species which are unable to adapt to altered habitats may invade the marginal habitats or decline in number [ 26 , 29 ]. Human wildlife conflicts undermine human welfare, health, safety and have economic and social cost [ 31 ].

Because HWC is a reciprocal process, humans and animals are negatively affected by the conflict, and it is one of the most complex and urgent issues facing wildlife management and conservation [ 10 ], especially outside PAs [ 38 ]. Scholars are seeking ways to refocus policy-relevant conflict research on finding pathways toward human–wildlife coexistence [ 23 ] and coadaptation [ 2 ]. According to König et al. [ 18 ], literature on HWCs, interaction, and coexistence has grown exponentially from 2000 to 2019, and work on conflict outpaces work on interactions and coexistence threefold. This may be because scholarship on human–wildlife interactions has focused mainly on conflict (i.e., negative outcomes for people, wildlife, or both) [ 3 ] or because new ways of thinking about these interactions now include a paradigm of coexistence [ 18 ]. Coexistence is defined as a dynamic but sustainable state in which humans and wildlife co-adapt to living in shared landscapes, where human interactions with wildlife are governed by effective institutions that ensure long-term wildlife population persistence, social legitimacy, and tolerable levels of risk [ 2 , 18 ]. The focus on human–wildlife conflict has often been a constraint to wildlife conservation, as practitioners have centered their attention on reducing negative interactions, rather than on increasing positive relations between humans and wildlife. To work toward solutions that maximize conservation success, it is necessary to include positive interactions, coexistence, and attitudes of tolerance toward wildlife [ 11 ].

Human wildlife conflict is a well-known phenomenon throughout sub Saharan Africa [ 34 ]. Reducing human–wildlife conflict is also an urgent conservation priority and key to coexistence between humans and animals in this region [ 37 ]. There are many human wildlife conflicts in Ethiopian protected areas which need solutions, but there is no enough empirical study done on issues pertaining to human wildlife conflict. Local communities do not enough benefit from wildlife resources and alienated from wildlife related economic enterprises. Like other parks or protected areas in Ethiopia, Bale Mountains National Park (BMNP) is highly influenced by the human activities living in and around the Park. Due to this, local peoples around the park and the wildlife are being affected negatively as the result this interaction. From this perspective, it is imperative to assess the human–wildlife conflict that occurs with local communities living adjacent to BMNP. There was no detail investigation made to identify the cause of the conflict and its adverse consequences.

Identify potential ways to reduce or prevent conflicts for the better wellbeing of both people and wildlife is the main objective of conducting research on human–wildlife conflict [ 21 ]. A prerequisite for finding effective solutions is understanding the details, mechanisms, and nature of conflict [ 21 ]. Therefore, this particular study aims to investigate the nature, extent, roots and mitigations of human wildlife conflict in and around the park. Moreover, this study was serving as ideal or standard information for the coexistence between humans and wildlife. Local community, researchers and other organizations are benefited from the study by getting how to conserved or managed the wildlife in additional to ensure positive coexistence between people and wild animal in the interest of human and environmental wellbeing.

Materials and methods

Description of the study area.

The study area Bale Mountains National Park is located southeast of Ethiopia about 400 km by road from Addis Ababa, between 6 o 29′ and 7 o 10 o North and 39 o 28′ and 39 o 58 o East. It covers an area of 247,000 hectare of land with an altitudinal range from 1500 to 4377 m asl [ 8 ]. It was first proposed in the late 1960 s to protect Afroalpine habitat and populations of the rare, endemic and species of the mountain nyala ( Tragelaphus buxtoni ), the giant molerat ( Trachyoryctes macrocephalus ) and the Ethiopian wolf ( Canis simensis ) [ 16 ], [ 1 ]. Even if its establishment was for this Bale Mountains is one of the most important areas of the world for its number of threatened Ethiopian endemics in all taxa 26% of Ethiopia’s endemic species. Of the area’s recorded birds, 6% are Ethiopian endemics. In addition there are several rare and endemic amphibian species found only in Bale as well as 1321 species of flowering plants with 163 endemic (23 to Bale alone) to Ethiopia [ 16 ].

The Park, as part of the highlands of eastern Africa encompasses a variety of habitats that supports a diversity of wildlife species. The habitat types include grassland, woodland, heather moorland and Afro-alpine vegetation [ 14 , 15 , 24 ]. Bale Mountain National Park is undoubtedly one of the most unique areas on earth, with the largest piece of Afro-alpine habitats with the second largest moist tropical forest and the only cloud forest in Ethiopia [ 16 ]. And it is an Important Bird Area of immense importance comprising more than 256 species of birds with seven endemics from the afro tropical highland biome species which represents 80% of the species making the area the richest site for this biome assemblage [ 1 , 8 , 16 ].

Data collection methods

The data were collected through primary and secondary methods. Primary data was collected from household questionnaires, interview and field observation. Household questionnaires were implemented to gather the data related to assess HWC cause, the nature of conflict and management and mitigation strategies to reduce conflict in the area. The study was based on mainly park office and sample kebele household cross sectional survey using pre-test structure questioner organizing in logical order of presentation. Key informant interviews were conducted with selected informants who are depending on park resources. Interview was held with park scout, park manager and local community to explore the nature of HWC and human and wildlife coexistences. In focus group discussions, the researcher is just a facilitator and the respondents provide information. Focus groups therefore, provided an opportunity for the researcher to interact with the local community and gain relevant information about their knowledge, opinions, and attitudes regarding human–wildlife conflicts and to determine effective HWC management and control methods used by local people. Field observation was mainly used to confirm the respondent’s responses, so that accurate and reliable information would be collected during filed observation. The observation was carried out in three purposive selected kebeles (Dinsho Kebele 01, Goba and Rira kebele). To make the research more reliable and to obtain an objective data which is got from primary data was supported by the secondary one. Secondary data collection sources are data obtained from books, internet searches, libraries, journal, progress reports, Park office and articles.

Sampling size and sampling technique

It is obvious that Bale Mountains National Park is surrounded by five Districts such as: Adaba (west), Dinsho (north), Goba (northeast), Mana-Angetu (south) and Berbere (east). However, the extent of exposure of local people and their agricultural area to wildlife is not the same throughout the five Districts rather it greatly differs from one to another. Therefore, two Districts (Dinsho and Goba Woreda) were selected using systematic random sampling technique through careful identifications in which those which have high extent of exposure with the park boundaries. In addition, random sampling technique was employed to identify sample households. In this heads of households were randomly selected from sample kebeles/villages of the two Districts which were selected using systematic random sampling after the completion of preliminary survey which is helpful to identify specific villages which are highly affected as a result of the conflict with wildlife. 5% of the total households from each sample village were selected randomly.

The sampling size of the study was determined based on formula adapted from Israel (1962) as follows.

where; N = the total population; n = the required sample size; e = the precision level which is = (± 10%), where confidence interval is 90% at p = + 10 (maximum variability) which is = (± 10%) n = 1850/1+1850(0.1) 2  = 95.

Accordingly, from the total (1850) population of three villages, a total of 95 respondents were selected and the questionnaire was transferred purposefully. The respondents were selected purposively based on their ability, awareness, adjacent to an area and knowledge contributes to the overall research objectives.

Data analysis

The data was analyzed by using simple descriptive (qualitative) method and quantitative (numerical) method. The study was interpreting the data based on the survey questionnaire, interview and filed observation. The data was analyzed by using simple descriptive statistics such as mean percentage and the data was present on tables, charts, picture and percentage also further represented by using graphs and other diagram in order to analyses more information about our research study.

Nature and extent of human wildlife conflict

The nature and extent of human wildlife conflict in and around Bale Mountains National Park have profoundly impacted humans, wild animal and the environment in many ways through crop damage, habitat disturbance and destruction, livestock depredation, killing of wildlife and human and the like. As a result, local communities disliked wildlife inhabiting in and around their surroundings. This has a great negative impact in conservation of the wildlife.

Crop damage

The result showed that not all crops were equally affected by crop raiders (herbivore wild animals) in the studies area. Olive baboon ( Papio anubis ), warthog ( Phacochoerus aethiopicus ), common mole rat ( Tachyoryctus splendens ), porcupine ( Hystrix cristata ), grey duiker ( Sylvicapra grimmia ), mountain nyala ( Tragelaphus buxtoni ) and bohor reedbuck ( Redunca redunca ) were mentioned as important crop raiders. According to farmers, Olive baboon ( Papio anubis ) was the most commonly reported crop raiders which cause more damage and ranked first followed by warthog ( Phacochoerus aethiopicus ). They damage crops early in the morning and evening when people are absent near farmlands. While, respondents were putted porcupine ( Hystrix cristata ) are as third crop raiders followed by bohor reedbuck ( Redunca redunca ). Human and wildlife have been in conflict because farming crops generally offer a rich food source for wildlife as well as for people. Large wild herbivores compete for fallow resources with livestock and can act as reservoirs of livestock diseases. The respondents claimed that Wheat (30%) and barley (24%) was the most vulnerable crop to raiders’. Whereas respondents reported that potato, Maize, Teff and legume are damaged by wild animals on rank 18%, 14%, 10% and 4%, respectively (Fig.  1 ).

Rank of vulnerable crops in the order of destruction by crop raider

Habitat disturbance

Habitat disturbance is destruction of the home of the wild animals. Humans kill or chase wild animals by digging, cutting, sealing by stones and smoking their natural habitat. This method is a main cause to decrease or to extinct of wild animals. The major components of habitat disturbance in the study area were settlement in and around the national park, over grazing by livestock, frequent fire and bush encroachment, tree cutting for charcoal, sale and construction of huts. Tree cutting was mainly associated with new settlement, which resulted deterioration of the remaining vegetation cover of the area. This minimizes the feeding ground, nesting and mating site of the wild animals so you have to be happened conflict between human and wild animal.

Livestock depredation

According to the respondents a total of three (namely, leopard (50%), Common Jackal (28%) and spotted hyenas (22%)) common problematic wild animals were reported in terms of livestock depredation from the villages although their effect is differing from village to village (Fig.  2 ). Leopards were reported to attack cattle, donkeys, goats, sheep and domestic dog in the study area. Common jackals are attack sheep; goat and spotted hyena caused the most pronounced problems and the local communities’ loss their oxen, cows, donkeys, mules, domestic dog and horses. Carnivores are attacking domestic livestock due to declining number of herbivorous in the wild due to prolonged droughts and habitat degradation.

Major livestock depredation wild animal in the study area

Killings of wildlife

Because of lack of compensated for crop losses, and domestic animal killing or loss the local communities are more suffered by wild animals and then they straggled to kill wild animals. This study was showed that Crop-raiding undermines food security and intolerance of wildlife within neighboring human communities in the study area. The inability to mitigate crop-raiding and absence of composition for crop losses lead to killing of animals.

Root causes of human–wildlife conflicts

According to the respondents and field observation, the main root causes of human wildlife conflict in the study area were: agricultural expansion (30%), human settlement (24%), overgrazing by livestock (14%), deforestation (18%), illegal grass collection (10%) and poaching (4%) (Figs.  3 and 4 ).

Cause for Human wildlife conflict in and around the study area

Habitat Degradation, Agricultural Expansion and human settlement

Deforestation is another major cause of human wildlife conflict in the study area mainly caused by cutting of trees for expansion of farm land, fire wood collection and livestock grazing send fire for the purpose of charcoal production (Fig.  5 ). Over grazing also was another major cause of human wildlife conflict the in the study area. This cause was due to the local communities were farming and livestock production are the main activities.

Over grazing and tree logging by livestock

Minimizing and mitigations of human wildlife conflict

According to the respondents, different methods are used by farmers to defend crop raider from their crop include crop guarding (34%), live fencing (26%), and scarecrow (22%), chasing (14%), whereas 5% was used smoking to repeal the crop raiders from their crop mostly in the night time which was the lowest method (Table  1 ).

As below Fig.  6 showed, the local community used different controlling techniques to defend livestock predator animals, such as fencing (38%), chasing (30%), scarecrow (24%), guarding (8%), and smoking (0%) based on respondents rank. These traditional controlling techniques of the most effective methods are fencing and chasing, the second most effective methods are scarecrow and guarding (especially common jackal) and the least effective traditional controlling techniques are smoking.

Traditional controlling techniques of livestock predation animal

Wildlife damage to agricultural crops is a serious concern affecting much of the world today [ 30 ]. Primates are one of the most frequently cited crop pests [ 13 ], so primates and humans are always in potential conflict over crops. This conflict is particularly interesting in that it arises from a positive desire to contact monkeys and then people discover that the contact poses risks from bites, theft of non-provisioned food or more general health issues such as exposure to simian viruses [ 6 ]. The result was agreed with finding of [ 36 ] who reported that wheat (ripe and dried) was the most frequently eaten crop by crop raiding in West Africa. Study conducted in Rwandan Forest Fragment indicated that maize, potato, beans, cabbage, sweet potato and tomato were raided by wild animals [ 12 ].

A research conducted in and around the study area showed that Olive baboon, warthog, common mole rat and bohor reedbuck (Redunca redunca), were identified as destructive animals, mainly feeding commonly on wheat, barley, potato, maize, teff and legume. Similar finding with the current study was observed in Filinga Range of Gashaka Gumti National Park of Nigeria. Monkeys, Baboons, Birds and Rodents were listed among wild animals that attack crops including Maize, Cassava, Rice and Banana [ 7 ].

Hence, common jackal and leopards could easily penetrate the fences and drag out the sheep and goat and any other animals. So, most of the predation by leopard happened during Both Night and Day Time but common jackal happened in day time and Spotted Hyena during happened in the night time within the settlement. This result is the same as with [ 25 ] that reported Leopard, Spotted Hyena and Common jackal were the major predators for domestic animals in and around Semen Mountains National park of Ethiopia. They were responsible for loss of Sheep, Goats, Oxen, Cows, Donkeys and Mules. Eight problematic wild animals in terms of domestic animal loss were identified in Chebera Churchura National Park southwestern part of Ethiopia [ 5 ]. Among those hazardous wild animals three of them i.e. Leopard, Jackal, and hyena were same with the present finding.

Reduction in the availability of natural prey/food sources leads to wild animals seeking alternate sources. Alternately, new resources created by humans draw wildlife resulting in conflict [ 39 ]. Byproducts of human existence offer un-natural opportunity for wildlife in the form of food and sheltered interference and potentially destructive threat for both man and animals. Competition for food resources also occurs when humans attempt to harvest natural resources such as fish and grassland pasture. Another cause of conflict comes from conservation biased toward flagship or game species that often threatens other species of concern [ 20 ].

According to the respondent’s response (10%), the local people cut grass illegally to feed their cattle, sell in the market and for thatching houses. This might cause scarcity of grass for herbivores and disturb the natural behavior of wildlife in the Park. Like any other Park in Ethiopia, local people exploit the resource from BMNP as well. Forest exploitation inside the Park and traditional farming activities close to the Park might cause strong impacts on the wildlife. Wild animals are highly restricted in some parts of the Park because of human and livestock encroachment.

Therefore the researcher was concluded that Agricultural Expansion (30%) and human settlement (24%) are the major causes of human wildlife conflict in and around the study area (Figs.  3 , 4 , and 5 ), while poaching (4%) are the lowest cause of HWC. Recently there was agricultural practice and human settlement inside and outside the park. Similar sources for Human wildlife were reported from Tsavo Conservation Area, Kenya. Agricultural Expansion, human settlement, deforestation, illegal grass collection, poaching was reported as the main causes of Human wildlife conflicts [ 22 ]. Different causes for human wildlife conflict were reported from different parts of Africa. For instance, animal death, loss of human life, crop damage, and damage to property, injuries to people and wildlife, encroachment of forest areas for agriculture, developmental activities, and livestock grazing are some key reasons for increment of the conflict in countries such as Kenya, Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia and Nigeria [ 19 ].

Many traditional repelling techniques are fairly effective if formalized, but are labor intensive. But where an animal can be repelled adequately using conventional methods it seems in appropriate, and certainly not particularly cost effective to try to introduce more expensive techniques requiring greater technological input or backup [ 4 ]. Another approach that has been used successfully to manage Human wildlife conflict involves changing the perceptions of people experiencing the damage, thus, increasing their willingness to tolerate damage [ 35 ]. Agricultural producers already are receptive to this argument and appreciate the wildlife on their farms to enhance wildlife habitat and their tolerance for some wildlife damage. This tolerance can be enhanced by providing economic incentives [ 25 ].

There was percentage difference between respondents using the different traditional methods in which of the respondents were used to defend their crop from crop raiders. This result agrees with the finding of [ 17 ] who founds that guarding and live fencing away of animals was ranked first and second in protecting crop raiders from crops. According to [ 13 ], the most viable options to reduce crop loss were increasing vigilance by farmers. This has been shown to make a considerable difference in the amount of crops lost, increasing farmer tolerance for a pest species and lost crops and increasing the ability of farmers to repel crop raiders using existing local methods. This has a number of obvious benefits, if these methods do not make a considerable impact on crop loss, and larger impact interventions such as electric fencing, lethal control of pest animals or moving farmers from the conflict zone can be considered [ 35 ].

Selection of the different strategies depends on the type of species, behavior of species and size of species. These results were similar to reported from Kenya Nyeri district [ 28 ]. The most effective strategy of the local communities used in preventing crop damage was guarding (34%), which is time consuming [ 7 ]. Similarly, the communities in the present study reported that permanent Guarding by adults is the most effective strategy to control both crop and livestock from wildlife when asked the most effective deter strategy among practiced by the local people. Active guarding by famers and members of their families was found to be the sole mode of protection from crop raiding [ 12 ].

No single management strategy can prevent all crop raiding and the goal of management should not only to be reducing the levels of crop raiding but also to raise the tolerance level of crop raiding by lessening its impact to farmers [ 33 ]. No solution will work without site-specific knowledge of what is possible, practical, or acceptable in any particular area. Unfortunately, human–wildlife conflict situations are often complex so are unlikely to be resolved quickly and cannot be solved solely by technical means. Human wildlife conflict can be managed through a variety of approaches. Prevention strategies endeavor to avoid the conflict occurring in the first place and take action towards addressing its root causes [ 13 ]. The main difference between the options is the moment at which the measure is implemented. By definition, management techniques are only cost-effective if the cost of implementing the technique is less than the value of the damage, taking into account the fact that a short period of active management may have a continued effect, by instating longer-term protection of crops or herds [ 9 ]. The various management possibilities are presented according to the characteristics of conflict whether they relate to humans, production, animals and the environment, rather than according to their ability to prevent or mitigate damage [ 20 ].

According to Hill et al. [ 13 ], conflict resolution/management methods have the following possible goals: reducing the amount of crop losses to wildlife; improving local people’s attitudes and perceptions towards protected area and its wildlife; helping affected farmers to improve agricultural production; increasing the amount of crops being harvested locally. Through improved local yields and reducing levels of poaching. Those wise it is very important that farmers be involved in the process of developing new solutions from the beginning [ 35 ]. Not only does this foster a sense of commitment and involvement amongst them, but it is also vital that they be involved from the beginning. Because they understand how the situation affects them and what kinds of intervention are likely to be acceptable and feasible with in the local culture, providing there is adequate representation from the different types of stakeholder involved [ 32 ].

The present study showed that human wildlife conflict is apparent in the study area. The conflict becomes the main causes to the continued survival of wild animal species in the area. Not only causes for wild animals but also the conflict causes high impact in economic loss of the people in and around the study area. Therefore, human–wildlife conflicts are negative impacts on both human and wildlife as highlighted in this study. It is also a serious obstacle to wildlife conservationists. Based on these reasons, mitigation strategies are very essential to reduce the cause and impact of HWC. Accordingly, possible mitigate possibilities for peaceful co-existence between human and wildlife are presented as follows:- Create awareness and organize training program to the local communities, identifying clear border between the closure area and the land owned by the residents, rules and regulations of the park, translocate the problematic animal to another area, equal benefit sharing of the local communities, to reduce or minimize agricultural practice inside and outside the national park, reduce deforestation by formulate rules and regulation for performed local communities, relocate agricultural activity out of the national park range, zoning or change the location of crop fields, Reduction of human settlement encroachment into the national park range.

Conclusions

The result of the present study has clearly shown that there was a strong conflict between human and wildlife living in and around the study area. The cause of human wildlife conflict was human settlement, agricultural expansion, illegal grass collection, over grazing by livestock and deforestation in national park. As a result, local communities disliked wildlife inhabiting in and around their surroundings. This has a great negative impact in conservation of the wildlife. The main effects for the presence of strong human wildlife conflict in the study area include crop damage, livestock depredation, killing of wildlife and habitat disturbance. Therefore, determination of possible solutions to mitigate Human wildlife conflict in the study area is mandatory for peaceful coexistence of human and wildlife.

Based on the obtained results of the present study, the following points are recommended in the study area:

Farmers should cooperatively keep their farm against crop raiders to minimize crop loss by using most effective method in an area.

The park authority should provide compensation for wildlife induced damage in and around the park.

Palatable and nutritive crops should not be grown near the park edge.

The concerning body should work hard to increase the awareness of the local people about the importance of wildlife conservation.

The park authority should provide fence or other method that used to protect crops, peoples and livestock from threat.

Stakeholders should reduce human settlements around the forest, expansion of farmland and cattle grazing in and around the National Park.

To reduce the dependency of the local people in and around the national park, it is better to encourage the local people to plant trees for their various types of utilization.

Further investigation must be conducted to identify alternative crops that can be rejected by crop raiders in the area.

Availability of data and materials

The data used and analyzed during the current study is available from the corresponding author on a reasonable request, without disclosure of the interviewees.

Abbreviations

Institute of Biodiversity Conservation

Bale Mountains National Park

Human wildlife conflict

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Acknowledgements

I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Bale Mountains National Park office staff member, local communities and Scouts for giving me an opportunity to pursue this research.

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Mekonen, S. Coexistence between human and wildlife: the nature, causes and mitigations of human wildlife conflict around Bale Mountains National Park, Southeast Ethiopia. BMC Ecol 20 , 51 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12898-020-00319-1

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Wildlife thrives in a wide variety of habitats, from lush rainforests to barren deserts, from towering mountains to deep oceans. Each species has evolved unique adaptations that allow it to survive and thrive in its specific environment. These adaptations can include physical traits, such as specialized body structures or camouflage, as well as behavioral traits, such as migration or hibernation.

Diversity and Interdependence

Unfortunately, wildlife faces numerous threats due to human activities. Habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and overexploitation are just a few of the factors that are pushing many species to the brink of extinction. It is crucial that we take action to protect wildlife and its habitats, both for the sake of these incredible creatures and for the future of our planet.

Conservation Efforts

Efforts are underway around the world to protect wildlife and its habitats. Governments, conservation organizations, and individuals are working together to establish protected areas, enforce laws against poaching and illegal trade, and educate the public about the importance of wildlife conservation. By working together, we can help ensure that future generations can enjoy the wonders of wildlife for years to come.

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How rapid urbanisation is changing the profile of wildlife in cities

Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor in Biology, Evolutionary Ecology unit, Lund University

Post-doc fellow at the Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town

Disclosure statement

Caroline Isaksson works as a Senior Lecturer at Lund University. She receives funding from the Swedish research councils (Vetenskapsrådet and FORMAS), EU (FP7, CIG) and private Swedish foundations such as Craaford foundation.

Petra Sumasgutner works as a post-doc fellow at the Percy FitzPatrick Institute, University of Cape Town. She receives funding from the DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, the Claude Leon Foundation and the Leslie Brown Memorial Grant (Raptor Research Foundation).

Lund University provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK.

University of Cape Town provides funding as a partner of The Conversation AFRICA.

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Globally, more people live in urban areas than in rural ones. Africa and Asia are urbanising faster than any other regions in the world. By 2050, 66% of the world’s population is projected to be urban . For example, Nigeria is projected to get an additional 212 million urban dwellers by 2050, China 292 million and India 404 million.

This rapid urbanisation poses challenges for sustainable development and public health. But the picture looks even grimmer for animals. Urbanisation is a new selective force that is changing the composition of animal communities tremendously.

During the process of urbanisation some animal species will disappear from the newly urbanised habitat. For example, birds that feed on specific natural food sources will fly to other areas to search for food. Species that cannot move as fast as urbanisation is expanding will disappear.

But parallel to this other species, such as crows and doves, will move into the city or increase in density. Thus urbanisation also filters bird communities.

There is still a clear research gap in understanding the mechanisms and impact of urbanisation on wildlife, specifically in Africa. The unprecedented rate of current urbanisation poses a major threat to biodiversity. It presents one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time. Understanding exactly how urbanisation affects wildlife is crucial to help animals to survive in our vicinity.

Rapid urban development in Africa

Urbanisation leads to habitat fragmentation, where larger continuous habitats are divided into smaller unconnected patches. It also causes habitat loss, through an increase in roads and buildings that are not producing any biomass. This exposes wildlife to new man-made stress. Physiological and ecological constraints affect organisms directly, but also change host-parasite and predator-prey interactions.

Prolonged chronic physiological stress caused by air , noise and light pollution, or low food quality could affect susceptibility to parasites and disease. Animals’ body condition and immune function can be altered as a result.

The inability to remove the toxic compounds caused by traffic fumes and antigens like dust and parasites can have severe consequences. It can result in increased molecular damage, tissue dysfunction and disease-related mortality .

Urban stressors like air pollution, can have unexpected effects on free living animals. Take the pollution transmitted by industrial areas of Johannesburg, South Africa. It elevates sulfonate concentrations in fog. This affects the ability of the feathers of the endangered Blue Swallow , Hirundo atrocaerulea to repel water. But the water-repellent plumage is crucial for the species, because Blue Swallows preferably hunt in fog. If the feathers are wet, they can’t fly very well. So, air pollution could actually decrease their capacity to forage .

A study on Blue Tits , Cyanistes caeruleus , in Algeria looked into lead contamination in urban environments and how environmental pollutants might affect breeding performance . They found higher lead concentrations in urban birds, but no direct effect of elevated lead levels and nestling conditions. But vandalism was responsible for a low breeding success, which shows the direct effect of human disturbance on urban birds.

Environmental pollutants are of course not only a problem in urban areas. They also affect seemingly high quality natural habitats like oases. A study on Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robins, Cercotrichas galactotes in Tunisia showed the impact of lead and zinc on nestling conditions and development. This was traced back to a nearby factory complex.

The way forward

Understanding the ecological impact of pollution on wildlife is not always straightforward. For some species – such as those with a long lifespan and don’t become reproductively mature until late in life – estimates of individual and population performance like reproduction and mortality are almost impossible to obtain.

In these cases a biomarker approach can be more suitable. A biomarker is a indirect indicator of vigour or performance, what we commonly refer to as health. It can be explained as a doctor’s appointment for wild animals: we take a blood sample, measure different components and get an estimate of that individual’s current health status. We don’t have to follow individuals throughout their lives to know if something is wrong for that individual, or for a specific population or even species.

A proper biomarker for wildlife research should be easily measured, cheap to run, sensitive to the targeted stressor and highly repeatable. Based on this, physiological estimates are commonly used as biomarkers for environmental stress.

Physiological systems are known to rapidly respond to pollution or other environmental stressors. For ecologists and conservationists it is crucial that the biomarker must be associated with a decline in performance like an increased susceptibility to various diseases, decreased reproduction or increased mortality. This is important for determining, short- and long-term, implications of the pollutant for the population and the species.

A recent South African study quantified the numbers of a certain type of white blood cell – the cells important for the immune system – in the respiratory systems of three different bird species. It used these as indicators of air pollution . But biomarkers like this, that require animals to be sacrificed, are not ideal. They cannot be used for large scale monitoring or endangered species.

Instead biomarkers that can be measured in live animals are preferred, for example by taking blood, feathers in birds, hair in mammals, tail loss in lizards or faeces samples.

Among African animals and terrestrial vertebrates, a biomarker approach of health is almost non-existant. This is unfortunate.

But it isn’t all bad. To address this, a collaboration was formed between Lund University in Sweden and the Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology at the University of Cape Town, South Africa.

The aim is to understand whether the recently urbanised species – the Black Sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleucus –- reveals physiological costs when living in polluted urban habitats. We’ll also examine how this relates to prey availability . The work initiated in the Black Sparrowhawk will be pioneering for establishing biomarkers of African wildlife health. Initial results will be published in the virtual issue “ Urban Birds: pressures, processes and consequences ” of the Journal Ibis .

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Roles for Wildlife in the Development of Place Meanings Ascribed to a Protected Area

• Published: 16 August 2023
• Volume 72 , pages 1072–1085, ( 2023 )

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• Evan L. Salcido 1 ,
• Carena J. van Riper 1 ,
• William P. Stewart 2 &
• Benjamin A. Leitschuh 2  

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Wildlife play prominent roles in popular images of America’s outdoor landscapes, yet our understanding of their contribution to place meanings is not fully developed. Although environmental management agencies have a long history of stewarding wildlife for hunting and fishing, they have been less inclined to prioritize non-consumptive uses such as the contribution of wildlife to sense of place. Given that agencies are increasingly challenged to implement policies that align with citizen priorities, connecting wildlife to sense of place could lead to more effective decisions. Our research explored the plurality of connections that residents made with wildlife in multiple protected areas across the USA region of Interior Alaska. Residents of nine communities were engaged over a five-year period, followed by a thematic analysis of interview data, which resulted in the identification of seven place meaning themes. These themes reflected qualities of the local environment that were appreciated by residents, including: 1) desirable travel destination, 2) distinct sense of community, 3) landscape of subsistence and tradition, 4) landscape of wildlife habitat, 5) natural resources in need of harvesting, 6) rural Alaskan lifestyle, and 7) wildland areas tied to recreation. Native wildlife species–from traditionally charismatic species like moose ( Alces alces ) to less iconic species such as snowshoe hare ( Lepus americanus ) – were discussed in the context of all seven place meaning themes. Wildlife provided a basis for study participants to interpret landscapes and ascribe meanings to places, thus supporting our argument that shared influences of wildlife and place meanings should be prioritized in environmental planning and management.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful for support provided by Dana Johnson for assistance with data collection, Rose Keller for assistance with conceptualization and coding of our interview data, and Eric Johnson, Dave Schirokauer and Ruth Colianni for their administrative support.

Author Contributions

ELS: study conceptualization, methodology, data collection, data analysis, writing (original draft). CJV: study conceptualization, methodology, data collection, writing (review and editing), supervision. WPS: study conceptualization, methodology, data collection, writing (review and editing). BAL: study conceptualization, data collection, writing (review and editing).

This paper is part of a broader project called ENVISION funded through the 2017-2018 Belmont Forum and BiodivERsA joint call for research proposals, under the BiodivScen ERA-Net COFUND program, and with the support of the following national funders: Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development (FORMAS), Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Germany, Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), US National Science Foundation (grant number 1854767), and the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Spain (Grant PCI2018-092958 funded by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033). Funding was also provided by a Cooperative Agreement with the National Park Service (P18AC00175), the University of Illinois Campus Research Board (RB19119) and USDA Hatch project (accession #: 7000939).

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Salcido, E.L., van Riper, C.J., Stewart, W.P. et al. Roles for Wildlife in the Development of Place Meanings Ascribed to a Protected Area. Environmental Management 72 , 1072–1085 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-023-01869-y

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21st Century Wildlife Monitoring – A Case Study of Spotted Owls and Artificial Intelligence

Wildlife monitoring programs, especially those with long-term datasets, are invaluable for informing forest management and conservation decisions in the face of climate change. But monitoring can be costly in terms of time, labor, and money. New technology is ushering in exciting possibilities that can help long-term monitoring programs evolve and benefit from next generation methods. Monitoring northern spotted owls provides an excellent case study.

Research wildlife biologist Damon Lesmeister ’s research integrates artificial intelligence and passive acoustic monitoring. This new approach is both effective and minimally intrusive to the owls. Tune in to hear how passive acoustic monitoring can detect spotted owls and their competitors, estimate occupancy rates, detect trends in population levels, and even distinguish between male and female birds.

This promising development in monitoring methodology could be a game changer for forest managers as they strive to track trends in spotted owls and monitor biodiversity in dynamic landscapes. It could facilitate a biodiversity monitoring program with unprecedented flexibility and scale and will likely provide insights in the future that are unimaginable today.

Damon B. Lesmeister

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UPDATED: How You Can Help Protect Nine Florida Parks from Proposed Development

by Susan Randolph · August 23, 2024

On August 19 th , the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) announced the 2024-2025 Great Outdoors Initiative which proposes the construction of lodges, golf courses, pickleball courts, and disc golf courses in several state parks across the state of Florida (see listing below). This development could have a devastating impact on the unique ecosystems and wildlife of these parks. Six of the nine parks have beach habitats which are used by nesting sea turtles and numerous other species. These six parks are indicated by an asterisk in the list below. Use the links to learn more about each park on the Florida State Parks website.

• Anastasia State Park * – Located on Florida’s northeast coast in St. Augustine. Includes over 1,600 acres of beaches, sand dunes, tidal marshes, and maritime hammocks.
• Camp Helen State Park * – In Panama City Beach in Florida’s panhandle, Camp Helen State Park is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and by Powell Lake . It features beaches, marshes, and forest trails.
• Dr. Von Mizell – Eula Johnson State Park * – Is an undeveloped coastal ecosystem in Broward County in southeast Florida.
• Grayton Beach State Park * – Located in Santa Rosa Beach, this park includes pristine beaches, Western Lake , and miles of trails through coastal forest.
• Hillsborough River State Park – Just a few miles away from downtown Tampa, this park offers wildlife viewing, fishing, hiking, biking, and picnicking.
• Honeymoon Island State Park * – Includes miles of sandy beach and slash pine forests and is located on Florida’s west coast in Dunedin.
• Jonathan Dickinson State Park – In Hobe Sound in Martin County, features the Loxahatchee River, coastal sand hills, upland lakes, and scrub forests.
• Oleta River State Park – Over 1,000 acres in North Miami Beach, Oleta River State Park is Florida’s largest urban park offering paddling through mangrove forests and miles of bicycling trails.
• Topsail Hill Preserve State Park * – Located in Florida’s panhandle, this park has old-growth pine forests, sandy scrubland, dunes, and wetlands. Is home to 13 imperiled species.

After FDEP released its proposal, environmental organizations and Floridians have spoken out against it. All of these parks were originally created to protect the habitats and wildlife which the proposed development could harm. Luckily, there are several ways you can help.

Ways That You Can Help

Sign an Online Petition

The Florida Wildlife Federation has set up an online petition which will be sent to the Governor, the Secretary of FDEP, and state representatives. Use the link below.

Florida Wildlife Federation Petition: Florida State Parks Threatened by Development

Submit Comments to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)

Use the following link to access a portal where you can submit your comments to FDEP.

Great Outdoors Initiative Comment Portal

Attend a Meeting: Meetings Rescheduled from August 27th to Week of September 2nd

On August 23rd, public meetings originally scheduled for August 27th were rescheduled for the week of September 2nd. Additional information to come .

Email the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)

You can email your comments about the proposed development for each park. See email addresses below.

• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected] (for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and Grayton Beach State Park)

Additional Information:

• Florida agency postpones meetings about state park plans, citing ‘overwhelming interest’
• Floridians balk at DeSantis administration plan to build golf courses at state parks
• Florida unveils 2024-2025 Great Outdoors Initiative amid concerns over environmental impacts to state parks
• Pickleball at state parks? It could happen – Parkgoers react to ‘Great Outdoors Initiative’

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