Plain Language Summary: Literature review reveals human-predator coexistence relies on context-specific approaches and cross-cultural collaborations.

By Rocío Almuna, Cristina E. Ramalho, José Tomás Ibarra, Peter Speldewinde, Stephen D. Hopper.

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Predators play key roles in ecosystems, but their presence may lead to conflicts with human communities. Conventionally, research and management strategies have focused on minimizing these conflicts rather than exploring ways to foster coexistence and positive interactions. We aim to better understand the human-predator relationship in order to advance coexistence over conflict.

Our study reviews 76 peer-reviewed articles from 33 countries to identify how different social-ecological factors influence human-predator relationships and to highlight gaps in knowledge and recommendations to promote coexistence. We found that while material benefits are often emphasized, other factors such as trust, collaboration, knowledge exchange, and intrinsic and relational values play an even greater role in shaping positive relationships with predators. Acknowledging the cultural and ecological importance of predators can promote tolerance and long-term coexistence strategies. Additionally, meaningful personal experiences and emotional connections with wildlife contribute significantly to people’s willingness to live alongside predators. Our review also highlights important knowledge gaps. Most studies originate from the Northern Hemisphere, particularly the United States and Europe, leaving many regions underrepresented. There is also a lack of cross-cultural and interdisciplinary research that incorporates Indigenous and traditional perspectives, which can provide valuable insights into sustainable coexistence.

Environmental managers should recognize that social-ecological factors behave differently depending on the context and design strategies accordingly. To improve human-predator relationships, future research and management efforts should integrate diverse knowledge systems, foster local collaboration, and move beyond conflict-based approaches. Recognizing that conflict is inherent to coexistence can help shift perspectives and support more holistic and inclusive conservation strategies.