Harmony with Wildlife aims to nurture partner community support for the conservation of wildlife that is resident in, or transient through their area. Rural communities around the Okavango Delta and Greater iSimangaliso have been facing human-wildlife conflicts (HWC) in the form of livestock depredation by predators from neighbouring reserves.
As a result of these human-wildlife conflicts, Wild Impact, &Beyond and other reserves are working with the communities to identify resolve and mitigate these conflicts, thus developing a Human with Wildlife initiative.
This is enabled by the deployment of camera traps and Community and Conservation Rangers and conducting workshops within communities to deliver this project. Camera traps are placed to record wildlife activity in active hotspot areas, guided by insights from local landowners. These camera traps aim to help develop an understanding of animal movement, specifically problematic species, so we can better advise the community on strategies to mitigate conflicts.