Human-wildlife conflict is a common emergency situation that Eco-rangers in South Africa may encounter while performing their duties in and around protected areas. It is important for Eco-rangers to anticipate, identify, and respond to such situations promptly and effectively to prevent harm to visitors and wildlife. Here are some examples of how Eco-rangers can anticipate, identify, and respond to human-wildlife conflict:
Anticipating human-wildlife conflict:
- Eco-rangers should be aware of the types of wildlife that are present in the protected area and their behaviours. This will enable them to anticipate potential conflicts, especially during certain times of the year when animals are more active or when food and water sources are scarce.
- Eco-rangers should also be aware of the areas of the protected area that are more likely to attract visitors and wildlife. This includes waterholes, picnic areas, and campsites. They can then monitor these areas closely for signs of human-wildlife conflict.
Identifying human-wildlife conflict:
- Eco-rangers should be trained to identify the signs of potential human-wildlife conflict. These may include signs of distress or agitation in wildlife, aggressive behaviour, or sightings of potentially dangerous wildlife in areas frequented by visitors.
- Visitors may also report incidents of human-wildlife conflict to Eco-rangers, such as encounters with dangerous animals or sightings of injured wildlife.
Responding to human-wildlife conflict:
- When responding to incidents of human-wildlife conflict, Eco-rangers should prioritize the safety of visitors and wildlife. They should use non-lethal methods to deter dangerous animals, such as loud noises, bright lights, or firecrackers.
- Eco-rangers should also provide visitors with safety information, such as how to behave around wildlife and what to do in the event of an encounter with a dangerous animal.
- In some cases, it may be necessary to relocate dangerous wildlife to a safer area or to contact a specialized wildlife management team for assistance.
Figure 5.3 – Human-wildlife conflict can also take place outside of protected areas (Migne, 2017).
For example, an Eco-ranger may anticipate a potential conflict during the dry season when water sources are scarce, and wildlife may come into closer proximity to visitors in search of water. They may identify signs of distress in wildlife, such as elephants or rhinos, and observe aggressive behaviour that could lead to a conflict. The Eco-ranger may then respond by placing warning signs in the area, relocating wildlife to a safer area, or using non-lethal methods to deter dangerous animals from approaching visitors.
In conclusion, anticipating, identifying, and responding to human-wildlife conflict is an important part of the role of an Eco-ranger in South Africa. By being trained to anticipate and identify potential conflicts, and by responding promptly and effectively when conflicts do occur, Eco-rangers can help to prevent harm to visitors and wildlife in protected areas.