By Yeshey, Rodney J. Keenan, Rebecca M. Ford, and Craig R. Nitschke.

Read the full paper here.

Studying conflicts between humans and wildlife using a social-ecological system (SES) approach helps us understand and solve these conflicts better. To manage these conflicts well, we need to understand all the factors involved in each specific situation. These conflicts are usually not simple, so it’s important to look at them from many angles. While human-wildlife conflicts (HWC) can happen in many places, their effects can vary a lot depending on where they occur.

In our study, we looked at the complex relationship between people and wildlife in Bhutan. Unlike other studies that only focus on one aspect of the conflict, we looked at how social, economic, and environmental factors all play a role. We used this approach to see how people and wildlife interact in their environment and how this affects the conflicts between them.

We collected information through interviews and discussions in four different parts of Bhutan, each with its own unique environment, economy, and society. We found that HWCs are different in each place. Sometimes, conflicts happen because of certain types of wildlife or wildlife behaviour. In other places, it’s because wildlife and livestock share the same space.

Also, it’s not just about animal behaviour. People’s attitudes, how much they can tolerate the conflicts, and what actions they take also matter a lot. These things are influenced by many factors like culture, religion, gender, and the economy. By using our approach, we were able to understand these complexities better. This helps us know that we need specific plans to deal with these conflicts in each place. This might involve making policies and involving the community. For example, it’s important to create policies that consider how men and women are affected differently by these conflicts.