Harmony with Wildlife is a community conservation initiative that promotes wildlife conservation by supporting human-wildlife coexistence across the landscapes where people and wildlife live side by side. The programme works with partner communities to build long-term support for conserving wildlife that is resident in, or moves through, their areas.
Communities surrounding the Okavango Delta and Greater iSimangaliso frequently experience human-wildlife conflict, particularly livestock losses caused by predators from neighbouring protected areas. These challenges can affect both community livelihoods and the long-term conservation of wildlife.
In response, Wild Impact, &Beyond, and neighbouring conservation reserves are working alongside local communities to identify, resolve, and mitigate human-wildlife conflict through the Harmony with Wildlife initiative. By fostering collaboration and providing practical solutions, the programme helps protect both people and wildlife while encouraging sustainable community conservation.
A key component of the initiative is the deployment of camera traps and the support of Community and Conservation Rangers, who work closely with local communities through education and awareness workshops. Camera traps are strategically placed in wildlife conflict hotspots, using insights from local landowners to monitor wildlife activity and animal movement, particularly that of problematic species.
The information gathered through wildlife monitoring enables conservation teams to better understand animal behaviour and movement patterns. This allows them to provide communities with practical strategies to reduce conflict, protect livelihoods, and strengthen the coexistence of people and wildlife.