March 17th – 18th, 2025
Human-Carnivore Co-Adaptation – Exploring Changing Behaviours, Perceptions and (Research) Practices
Man-eaters, pests, rivals, demanded trophies, spiritual beings or iconic and keystone species – carnivores are ambiguous animals that have always met controversial perceptions. The fear of living close to carnivores has significantly influenced human development historically and continues to be a concern for many people worldwide through growing human-wildlife conflict. The workshop brings together scholars from both the social and natural sciences, as well as applied conservation researchers, to examine the changing lifeworlds of carnivores and humans in proximity to each other.
This includes exploring case studies involving both shared and protected landscapes. Key questions include: How do the behaviours of carnivores and humans influence one another, and how have these interactions historically led to or continue to foster new forms of adaptation? What insights can tracking technologies, qualitative research, and local knowledge provide about individual carnivore behaviours and their co-adaptation with humans?
By comparing these interactions in different situations and regions, the workshop aims to identify the conditions and factors that enable sustainable coexistence between carnivores and humans. Additionally, the workshop seeks to discuss how various forms of knowledge and data can be integrated to support coexistence initiatives and environmental education. The focus will be on southern Africa, with the goal of enhancing knowledge on how carnivore behaviours are evolving in response to humans in the region.
Workshop hosted by Rewilding the Anthropocene – A European Research Council Advanced Grant Project, University of Cologne and Okavango Research Institute,
University of Botswana.
Organized by Prof. Emily Bennitt (University of Botswana), Prof. Michael Bollig and Julia Brekl (Project A04 Future Conservation).
