Preliminary Probe into the Wildlife-Human Conflict in Laojunshan in Northwest Yunnan
Spokespeople:Zhou Dequn, Duan Hui, Christine Tam
Organization:The Nature Conservancy (TNC) China Program
Tel: 0871－4182966 ext. 606; 628; 601
E-mails: dqzhou@tnc.org.cn; duanhui@tnc.org.cn; ctam@tnc.org.cn
 Since the implementation of the Natural Forest Protection Program and Hunting Ban, the habitat of wildlife in Laojunshan has been improving greatly and wildlife populations are increasing subsequently. However, the original habitat cannot support this increase in population. As a consequence it is common for wild animals, especially bears, to roam into neighboring communities in search of food, attacking livestock and destroying crops. Some villagers have had to sell their livestock, while others dare not venture into forest to collect NTFPs (no-timber forest products). At present the local people must find a way to reconcile economic development and nature conservation.
The local people have poor knowledge of wild bear behavior. At present, there are no capable bear experts in Yunnan, even in China. It is a big challenge for us to find a way to abate the conflict between men and bear.
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