Indonesia's Wildlife Conflicts: The Limits of Reactive Measures and Deep-Rooted Challenges

Wildlife-human conflicts continue to occur across Indonesia. However, responses are often reactive, such as driving away, fencing off, or capturing and relocating animals, failing to provide a fundamental solution. Experts point out that these methods merely shift the problem elsewhere without addressing its root causes, leading to a cycle of recurring conflicts. According to data from the Directorate General of Conservation of Natural Resources and Ecosystems (KSDAE) of the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry, 2,732 conflict incidents involving 11 species of wildlife were recorded between 2023 and 2025. The Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) and Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) are particularly notable for causing fatalities and significant economic losses to communities. Both species are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. These conflicts are not caused by a single factor but result from a combination of interconnected issues. Key contributing factors include shrinking habitats due to land-use change, reduced prey availability for predators, altered food sources for herbivores, ongoing poaching, and diminishing space for wildlife due to human needs and infrastructure development. In this context, humans and wildlife are in a competitive relationship over resources. Addressing this issue effectively requires moving beyond superficial measures. It necessitates long-term strategies for habitat conservation, fostering coexistence between humans and wildlife, and tackling the fundamental causes with the cooperation of local communities. Source: Mongabay Indonesia