How we talk about human-wildlife encounters

On Zambian television, it is becoming increasingly common to hear the phrase “human–animal conflict” to refer to the increasing encounters between people and wildlife in search of food and grazing land, amid drought and weather shocks.

However, the longer we have sat with the word conflict, the more we have felt that what is happening is being misrepresented. Media narratives hold immense power, especially when they speak for those who cannot speak for themselves - in this case Zambia’s wildlife. And, in all the noise, one thing has been missing: an honest look at what sits behind these so-called conflicts.

We realised that if we want to contribute meaningfully to the conversation, we first need to understand people’s firsthand experiences. What have they seen change? What do they feel is shifting around them, even when science hasn’t fully caught up?

So, we decided to begin with research and listened closely to the discourse around the rise in human–wildlife encounters. We wanted to know what people have experienced, what they have lived through, and how they make sense of what’s happening in their towns and villages.

Our team travelled to Livingstone, to a community bordering the national park where many of these encounters occur. People told us how their resources are shrinking by the day and how farming, once a reliable livelihood, has become a risk. Their crops, particularly cabbages and other vegetables, now draw elephants into their fields - leaving families with heavy losses. Even things that once grew in abundance, such as mangoes and guavas, are becoming scarce.

When we asked locals what they thought had changed in the natural environment, their observations were striking. They told us that indigenous trees and plants, once main sources of food for both people and wildlife, have become rare. A local succulent once used for fencing has nearly disappeared entirely. They said repeated dry spells have degraded grazing lands, pushing wildlife to feed on what remains, which includes the very plants people used to rely on for protection. Individual perceptions in themselves matter. They shape the narratives around why wildlife enters communities, and those narratives shape how people respond. That, in turn, affects the safety of humans and animals.

People also shared how traditional ways of protecting themselves from wildlife no longer seem effective. Some mentioned planting chillies that no longer act as a deterrent, which they believe is due to the type of chilli now available. Others spoke about injuries sustained while trying to chase animals away, with some even resorting to throwing stones. Many expressed worries about children meeting elephants on their way home from school. Communities mentioned solutions being sought, yet these not matching up to their needs and expectations.

We were left with the impression that these communities were largely being left to cope on their own. One person said “We don’t know the best way to chase elephants or protect our farms safely. Most of the time we just try to scare them away, but it doesn’t always work and can be dangerous.”

If there is one thing that these communities have made clear, it is that the story isn’t solely about humans losing resources. Wildlife is losing out too. Some individuals even pointed out how tourism developments have been built directly in elephant corridors, with strong fences that divert elephant routes, driving them to local communities where fences are weaker.

As a result, we felt compelled to use our own social media platforms to share as much practical information as we can, such as what to do during unexpected wildlife encounters. Footage in this video shows these encounters. We also supported our media partner in the region to produce content that relays the concerns and experiences of communities in the area.

Beyond this, we need to create spaces for dialogue and debates that bring communities, government officials, and those responsible for land and wildlife management together. We want to highlight conversations that clarify where responsibility sits and, most importantly, what plans exist to protect both people and wildlife. These are planned for coming weeks, with our local radio partner stations broadcasting near the national park.

This isn’t a simple conflict; it’s a shared struggle for space, food, water, survival, and ultimately dignity. This is a climate change story primarily, and one that deserves far more careful attention than it has received.