Answer:
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Human-wildlife conflicts result when the actions of humans or wildlife have an adverse impact upon the other. Although it is recognized that humans have profoundly impacted wildlife and the environment in many ways, through habitat loss, pollution, introduction and spread of exotic and invasive species, over exploitation, and climate change, this document focuses mostly on those human-wildlife conflicts that result from direct interaction among humans and wildlife. Human-wildlife conflicts vary according to geography, land use patterns, human behaviour, and the habitat and behaviour of wildlife species or individual animals within the species. Principal areas of concern include:
Some wildlife species (g., deer, coyotes, Canada geese, raccoons, black bear) have an economic impact on local farming communities by damaging crops and livestock predation. The Agricultural Advisory Task Team (AATT) appointed in 2004 by the provincial Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, identified issues of livestock predation and crop damage by wildlife in some regions of Ontario. The AATT recommended that human-wildlife conflict in agricultural areas be recognized and addressed by the provincial government.
Human-wildlife conflicts in urban areas often involve wildlife species (g., raccoons, squirrels, Canada geese) that have adapted well to changes to natural habitat resulting from residential development. Impacts in residential areas include structural damage to buildings and landscaping and fouling of parks and recreation areas. Expansion of permanent residential and cottage development in rural areas of the province has also been accompanied by increased human-wildlife conflicts.
Vehicle-wildlife collisions result in injury or mortality of both wildlife and humans, as well as substantial damage to motor vehicle Wildlife-plane collisions are also of concern at some airports and runways.
The potential for disease transmission between wildlife and domestic animals or to humans is an ongoing concern. While major initiatives have limited the incidence and spread of rabies in Ontario, pathogens such as chronic wasting disease and avian influenza are receiving greater attention at provincial, national and international levels.
Populations of some wildlife species can cause ecological impacts that are in conflict with objectives associated with conserving and maintaining biodiversity. For example, intensive foraging by white-tailed deer can alter ecological processes and physically impact habitat of species at risk.
There is a need for better understanding and awareness of the nature and complexity of factors contributing to human-wildlife conflicts in Ontario, including climatic factors, land use, agricultural practices and wildlife management initiatives. Reduced winter severity associated with long-term climate change and shifts in agricultural land use practices in recent decades has created favorable environmental conditions for some wildlife species, such as white-tailed deer. There are currently underway enhanced government efforts to conserve and protect species and their habitat. In support of "sustainable development", there is recognition of the importance of the natural environmental in the lives of Ontarians. However, these efforts may have incidental consequences of increasing human- wildlife interactions, which need to be managed to maintain a healthy balance between the need for socio-economic development and protection of the natural environment.
The number of people in southern Ontario has increased from 8.5 million in 1980 to 12.4 million in 2004. Future population growth will lead to increased urban and rural development and greater interaction with wildlife, particularly with those species able to adapt to human-induced habitat change.
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