What is meant by human-wildlife conflict?

Human-wildlife conflict refers to situations where wildlife poses a threat to human interests and resources. This can occur in various forms, including damage to crops and livestock by animals, competition for resources such as water and food, and even direct harm to humans. This conflict arises from the increasing overlap between human populations and wildlife habitats, often leading to negative consequences for both parties.

For example, large herbivores like elephants can trample crops, leading to economic losses for farmers, while predators such as wolves may threaten livestock. As human populations expand into wildlife areas, the frequency of these conflicts tends to increase, emphasizing the importance of effective management strategies to mitigate these issues and promote coexistence.

In contrast, the other options relate to different aspects of human interaction with wildlife that do not capture the essence of conflict. Domesticating wildlife, protecting wildlife, or adapting to urban environments focuses on coexistence or change rather than conflict. Thus, the scenario that best defines the concept of human-wildlife conflict is when wildlife threatens human interests and resources.