Human-wildlife conflicts and resource competition imply costs on human social, economic or cultural life and on the ecological, social or cultural life of wildlife concerned, often to the detriment of conservation objectives and socio-economic realities. This module aims to introduce students to the magnitude and multidisciplinary dimensions of human-wildlife conflicts (HWC) and resource competition, and current approaches and challenges in mitigating and preventing HWC. We will explore how theoretical frameworks for approaching HWC are most often confined within disciplinary boundaries and how more holistic approaches can better equip conservationists and other professionals in dealing with the issue. Using a variety of teaching and learning methods, students will learn about issues involved in determining and analysing HWC, and planning, implementing and evaluating conflict mitigation or prevention schemes.
Total Contact Hours: 25
Private Study Hours: 125
BSc Wildlife Conservation
BA Environmental Social Sciences
BA Human Ecology
Also available as an Elective Module
60% Essay – no more than 3,000 Word: 60%
Abstract: 20%
Debate Assessment: Group Debate: 20%
Reassessment methods: Students will be asked to submit an essay as an alternative assessment for 100% of the module mark
Reading list (Indicative list, current at time of publication. Reading lists will be published annually)
Hill, C. M., Webber, A. D., & Priston, N. E. C. (Eds.). (2017). Understanding Conflicts About Wildlife: A Biosocial Approach. Oxford: Berghahn.
Hockings, K. & Humle, T. (2009). Best Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Mitigation of Conflict between Great Apes and Humans. Gland, Switzerland: SSC Primate Specialist Group of the World Conservation Union: https://portals.iucn.org/library/efiles/documents/ssc-op-037.pdf
Knight J. (2000) Natural Enemies: Human-Wildlife Conflict in Anthropological Perspective. London Routledge.
Knight J. (2006) Waiting for Wolves in Japan: An Anthropological Study of People-Wildlife Relations. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Macdonald W.D. & Willis K.J. (Eds.) (2013) Key Topics in Conservation Biology 2. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell
Sillero-Zubiri C. et al. (2007) Living with wildlife: the roots of conflict and the solutions. In: Macdonald W.D (Ed.) Key Topics in Conservation Biology. Oxford: Blackwell.
Woodroffe R. et al. (2005) People and Wildlife: Conflict or Coexistence? Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes. On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
8.1: Critically engage with theoretical questions and practical challenges posed by human-wildlife conflicts (HWCs) and resource competition.
8.2: Demonstrate familiarity with the multidisciplinary dimensions of human-wildlife conflict issues and their global scope
8.3: Demonstrate an understanding of how to study HWCs, to design conflict mitigation schemes, and to evaluate their effectiveness.
8.4: Demonstrate knowledge of the differing implications and impacts of HWCs across protected and non-protected area landscapes.
The intended generic learning outcomes. On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
9.1: Apply critical thinking in writing, debate and presentation
9.2: Integrate theory and practice
9.3: Communicate with their peers in an academic setting.
9.4: Use a variety of tools effectively to conduct research.
9.5: Coherently present published data supported by quantitative and qualitative evidence both verbally and in written form.
9.6: Engage effectively in independent research and learning required for further study or professional work.
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