Definition

Wildlife is defined as all vertebrate terrestrial animals residing in all biomes and geographic areas, within and outside of terrestrial protected areas. Wildlife and protected areas are considered conjointly due to the complex interdependence and interactions between them. 

A protected area is a clearly defined geographical space, recognized, dedicated, and managed through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values (IUCN 2008).  

Sustainable wildlife management is the sound management of wildlife species to sustain their populations and habitats over time, taking into account the socioeconomic needs of human populations. This requires that all land-users within the wildlife habitat are aware of and consider the effects of their activities on the wildlife resources and habitat, and on other user groups (CPW 2015). 

A sustainable use approach

The sustainable management of wildlife (SWM) and protected areas supports SFM and biodiversity conservation. Its role is becoming more prominent due to continuing global pressures on wildlife and protected areas from increasing human population, urbanization, and changing lifestyles. In tackling these issues, the following four areas are particularly relevant for FAO: 

Maintaining ecological balance: Wildlife and protected areas make a crucial contribution to the maintenance of forest ecological services and ecosystem health and play a fundamental role in ecological processes such as pollination, seed dispersal, decomposition, and pest control.  

Wild meat:  Millions of people depend on wildlife as a means of subsistence. Current unsustainable harvesting rates in many regions, driven by an increase in demand, have caused significant declines in many species, impacting the food security of vulnerable households and global biodiversity. 

Human-wildlife conflicts (HWC): HWCs have become more frequent and severe over recent decades because of human population growth and the expansion of agricultural and industrial activities. In developing countries whose economies are agriculturally based, this has significant negative impacts on food security and the well-being of community livelihoods.  

Protected areas:  Protected areas are a key strategic approach for conservation and the sustainable use of wildlife, as they offer safe habitats to many wildlife species. These areas play a key role in balancing agricultural production with protection goals through integrated land use, making SWM a mechanism to promote biodiversity conservation within protected areas while meeting human needs. 

Discover more about main thematic areas of activities

Highlights