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 and its associated ecosystem services and cultural values (IUCN, 2008).  

Sustainable wildlife management is the sound management of wildlife species that sustains their populations and habitats over time, taking into account the socioeconomic needs of human populations. This requires that all land-users within a 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

Sustainable wildlife management (SWM) and protected areas support sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation. Growing global pressures on wildlife and protected areas, due to increasing human population, urbanization and changing lifestyles, have focused more attention on the role of SWM in handling these issues. These 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, while also playing a fundamental role in ecological processes such as pollination, seed dispersal, decomposition and pest control.  

Wild meat:  Millions of people depend on wildlife for survival. Current unsustainable harvesting rates in many regions, driven by an increase in demand, have caused significant declines in many species, which in turn affects both the food security of vulnerable households and global biodiversity. 

Human–wildlife conflicts: Human–wildlife conflicts 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 with agriculturally–based economies, 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. 

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Highlights