Bridging the Divide: Key Takeaways from the Human-Carnivore Co-adaptation Workshop in Kasane

Between March 16 and 18, 2025 a diverse group of stakeholders – natural and social scientists, carnivore conservation NGO representatives, and officials from the Botswana Department of Wildlife (DWNP) and National Parks and Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA)–convened for a workshop focused on the complex dynamics and challenges surrounding human-carnivore interactions in southern and eastern Africa. Workshop presentations depicted human and carnivore adaptive behaviours in urban environments such as Cape Town, anthropogenic farmlands as well as protected areas involving ethnographic, ecological, historical as well as geographical research and applied conservation work. Discussions highlighted the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative approaches to foster coexistence.

Understanding diverse perspectives

One of the most valuable aspects of the workshop was bringing together individuals with varied backgrounds and expertise. It became clear that a holistic understanding of human-carnivore interactions requires integrating ecological knowledge with social, economic, and cultural considerations. However, workshop participants acknowledged that miscommunication and differing perceptions of science can hinder collaboration between natural and social scientists. Building trust and mutual respect as well as openness to diverse scientific approaches is therefore crucial for effective collaborations.

Moreover, the importance of incorporating local and indigenous knowledge into research and conservation efforts was emphasized. Local communities often possess invaluable insights into carnivore behaviours, habitat use, and conflict mitigation or prevention strategies. Collaboration with local communities on eye-level and differing agendas also remain a challenge in carnivore conservation efforts. Power dynamics and differing perceptions in applied conservation work and research should therefore be critically engaged with.

Participants identified several existing key challenges to human-carnivore coexistence:

• Balancing diverse needs: Finding ways to balance the needs of human communities with the conservation of carnivore populations remains a central dilemma. This requires considering factors such as livestock rearing and depredation, human safety, and ecosystem health.
• Fostering honest discussions: Discussions of failures as well as learning from past mistakes are key to move forward in carnivore conservation efforts
• Promoting citizen science: Engaging local communities in data collection and monitoring can strengthen conservation efforts and foster a sense of ownership
• Recognizing humans as part of ecosystems: Participants emphasized that social and ecological systems should not be treated separately and that conservation strategies should address the needs of both. Likewise the natural and social sciences should work closer together to understand environments in a holistic way.

Looking ahead, workshop participants emphasized the need for strengthened interdisciplinary collaboration, more research focus on individual carnivore behaviours and improved communication and outreach efforts in which scientific findings should be communicated more effectively to the public and policymakers.