Climate crisis intensifies conflicts between humans and wildlife
Heatwaves, droughts, and extreme events are intensifying conflicts between humans and wildlife. The climate crisis is driving animals into populated areas.
Growing evidence suggests that heatwaves, droughts, and other extreme events can intensify deadly encounters between humans and wildlife.
Extreme weather events drive wildlife into human-populated areas
Both extreme climate events and the long-term effects of global warming could intensify deadly encounters between humans and wildlife, according to Dr. Briana Abrahms, assistant professor of biology at the University of Washington.
In the journal Science, Dr. Abrahms writes that there is increasing evidence that extreme weather events such as droughts, heatwaves, and wildfires could lead to more encounters between humans and wildlife.
«Here in the American West, we have just experienced an enormous surge in extreme wildfires. When that happens, animals are forced to flee from the forest and often end up in human-dominated areas», she said.
Marine heatwaves and whales
Separate research has identified a link between marine heatwaves and increased conflicts between large whales and humans.
«In 2015 and 2016, there was a dramatic increase in the number of whales becoming entangled in fishing gear off the west coast of the United States», said Dr. Abrahms. The heatwave led to changes in the distribution of fish, which likely brought whales and fishing communities into closer contact.
Dr. Abrahms referred to an earlier study, which found that conflicts between humans and polar bears in Canada's Hudson Bay tripled over a period of 30 years as sea ice declined and bears were forced to spend more time on land.
«We need to look at how widespread this is. A concerted effort by scientists to account for the influence of climate change on these conflicts could help us predict the occurrence of such conflicts — and perhaps even prevent them.»
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