The Center for Tropical Ecology and Conservation at Antioch University New England will hold its sixth annual symposium, Wild Solutions: Overcoming Human-Wildlife Conflict Issues, on October 24.
At the symposium, Dr. Richard Estes, associate of the Harvard Museum of Natural History, research associate of the Smithsonian Conservation and Research Center, and distinguished fellow at Antioch New England, will discuss his work with the highly endangered Angolan giant sable. Two keynote speakers will also be featured at the symposium:
Francine Madden, executive director of the Human-Wildlife Conflict Collaboration, who will discuss human-wildlife conflict resolution through collaboration and innovation.
Dr. Philip Nyhus, assistant professor of environmental studies at Colby College, who will discuss how humans can coexist with dangerous animals such as the tiger.
Other key participants include Sharon Matola, director of the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center, who will discuss human/wildlife conflict involving jaguars in Belize, and graduate students presenting their recent findings on human-wildlife conflict, from elephants to chimpanzees.
The symposium will bring together researchers, educators, students and advocates from New England and the tropics to discuss contemporary applied research and form collaborative relationships.
The focus of the event is the ever-increasing number of conflicts between humans and wildlife as their interactions become more frequent due to shrinking and fragmented habitats. In the tropics, wildlife is often seen simply as a nuisance or competition for resources that may already be scarce. These conflicts can be detrimental to wild animal populations, particularly threatened and endangered species. In order to prevent further declines in wildlife populations, scientists, educators, and local communities must work together to try to solve the various human-wildlife conflict issues.
The symposium is open to the public and will take place on Saturday, October 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It will be held in Antioch University New England’s community room at, 40 Avon Street, Keene, New Hampshire. Early registration is recommended. If space is available, walk-ins are welcome. The registration/entrance fee is $40 for non-students and $20 for students. This includes lunch and reception.
To register please contact symposium coordinator, Kristin Godfrey at: [email protected] or visit our CTEC webpages.
