Beyond Tolerance: Mitigating Human–Wildlife Conflict with Hospitality

Abstract

Tolerance has become a central position in wildlife conservation thought, and a goal in and of itself. Appeals to tolerance are expected to grow as the planet becomes more crowded, species are lost, and habitat is degraded. The concept has been uncritically adopted in wildlife conservation to mitigate human–wildlife conflicts (HWCs). However, scholars have demonstrated that tolerance is burdened with limitations, paradoxes, and shortcomings. Thus, blind adherence to it is not expected to produce a coexistence design necessary to sustain wildlife populations in the long term. This paper is a conceptual scoping project that engages a summary and critique of tolerance as a design principle within wildlife conservation governance. After introducing a resultant theory of dysfunctional human–wildlife coexistence, a pathway toward hospitality as a social institution is outlined via several commitments societies can make to transition to an era of normalizing a process of sincere welcoming, care, and support. The transition from tolerance to hospitality will entail shifting responsibility to humans to modify their behavior to help keep wildlife invisible where it is essential, learning about what wildlife want and need, and ensuring wildlife are not injured for being themselves.

Harmonizing Ecosystems Through Integrating Waste Reduction and Wildlife Preservation

“…It underscores the urgency of harmonizing human activities with the inherent processes that govern the natural world, fostering a paradigm shift towards a more sustainable and regenerative coexistence. [4] Ultimately, this research Endeavor holds the promise of contributing to the achievement of multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including responsible consumption and production, life on land, and sustainable cities and communities. By harmonizing ecosystems through the integration of waste reduction and wildlife preservation, we can pave the way towards a future where human progress coexists in harmony with the richness and diversity of our natural heritage.…”