Coexist with Wildlife

The Creative

The Free Spirit

The Engineer

The Foodie

The Influencer

The Creative

It is more critical than ever that we, as humans, do what we can to ensure a healthy ecosystem and future for all wildlife on our planet. By working together, we can create shared habitats and a harmonious balance that allows people and wildlife to thrive.

A Healthy Ecosystem

Coexisting with wildlife fosters a safe living environment for people, and supports a healthy ecosystem for generations to come.

Illustrated deer with a tree in the background

Predators hunting prey keep a healthy population ratio.

Illustrated birds of prey; one in a tree, one flying, and one eating a dead animal

Scavengers eating dead animals reduce the risk of disease transmissions.

Illustrated elephants; one in the foreground; mother and baby in the background

Herbivores consuming plants help disperse seeds and dig up the ground to help plants grow.

Understanding Challenges

What causes conflict between humans and wildlife?

Human-wildlife conflict occurs when the needs and behaviors of wildlife and people in a shared habitat are at odds with each other. This can lead to challenges that threaten the wellbeing of animals, people, and the ecosystem. The resulting conflict can take many forms, such as crop and livestock loss, retaliative killings of wildlife, car strikes, or a general misunderstanding of nature and wildlife.

How can humans and wildlife coexist successfully?

As human populations expand further into wild spaces, the need for understanding, empathy, and behavior change is vital. Coexistence emphasizes strategies for peaceful conflict reduction techniques like non-lethal deterrents, wildlife corridors, and community-centered wildlife education. By promoting coexistence, we can reduce the total negative impacts of human-wildlife conflict and foster a world where wildlife is valued and protected alongside human needs.

From Conflict to Resolution

Not only do we feel it in our bones, but numerous scientific studies have shown the benefits to human happiness from being in nature and seeing wildlife. It is our responsibility for future generations to ensure there are healthy ecosystems where humans live alongside wildlife.

Coexisting in the Bay Area

Human-wildlife conflict is a global challenge that shows up even in our own backyards and communities. Conflict in our region might look like wildlife making a mess of your trash, wildlife hurting or attacking pets, and wildlife getting sick from rodenticide. Here are some ways you can take action to coexist with our wild Bay Area neighbors and resolve these conflict issues.

Raccoon

The Engineer

Raccoons are naturally curious and inventive, using their dexterous hands to explore, solve problems, and adapt to changing environments. Their resourcefulness helps them coexist with people in shared spaces.

Coexisting with Raccoons

Secure food waste and garbage in trash cans to prevent wildlife from rummaging for unhealthy human food and becoming habituated.
Close off openings and crawlspaces around your home to avert wildlife seeking shelter.
Offer a bird bath as an alternative to a bird feeder to avoid attracting unwanted wildlife.

Coyote

The Creative

Coyotes are intelligent and adaptable, using their keen instincts to find food, communicate, and navigate human-dominated landscapes. Their resourcefulness allows them to thrive even as wild spaces become cities.

Coexisting with Coyotes

Walk dogs on a leash especially at dawn and dusk when predators like coyotes are active for their safety and to protect wildlife.
Keep a safe distance from wildlife to protect wildlife from stress or injury and to reduce the risk of harm to humans.
Keep pet food inside to prevent coyotes and other wildlife from being drawn to your yard for an easy meal.

Mountain Lion

The Free Spirit

Mountain lions are masters of adaptation, moving seamlessly between deserts, forests, and foothills. Independent and adventurous, they thrive in diverse landscapes, often unnoticed by the humans who share their space.

Coexisting with Mountain Lions

Drive slowly in areas where wildlife crossroadways to prevent them from car strike as they move through their ecosystem.
Provide secure, enclosed shelters for animals that stay outside to prevent wild predators from harming your pets and livestock.
Provide secure, enclosed shelters for animals that stay outside to prevent wild predators from harming your pets and livestock.

Black Bear

The Foodie

Black bears are open to all culinary experiences, drawn to new smells and flavors. Their curiosity makes them skilled foragers, and by securing our food, we can help ensure a safe and respectful coexistence.

Coexisting with Black Bears

Store food properly and dispose of the waste correctly to avoid wildlife from being attracted to human food and causing damage to property.
Clean barbeque grills and picnic spaces after use to prevent scavengers like bears, racoons, and rodents from being drawn to picnic areas by food scraps.
Keep a safe distance from wildlife to keep wildlife from being stressed and to reduce the risk of injuries to you or them.

Black-Crowned Night Heron

The Influencer

Black-crowned night herons have a strong connection to place, returning to the same nesting sites year after year. Even in bustling cities, these ambassadors shape how people experience and understand urban wildlife.

Coexisting with Black-Crowned Night Herons

Never feed wildlife and avoid leaving food unattended to prevent wildlife from becoming reliant on human food that can make them sick.
Report any heron babies out of the nest to help their chances of survival and prevent them from being hurt by cars or injured by animals. Call 510-703-8986.
Keep a safe distance from wildlife to protect wildlife from stress or injury when you are observing them.

Oakland Zoo is Taking Action for Coexistence

Oakland Zoo has a long history of supporting human-wildlife coexistence efforts for dozens of species around the globe. We support projects that address the issues at the root of the problem by working with communities that are directly impacted, providing them with a platform, and implementing interdisciplinary strategies to find long-term solutions.

Get to know your Bay Area neighbors.

A Healthy Ecosystem

Predators hunting prey keep a healthy population ratio.

Scavengers eating dead animals reduce the risk of disease transmissions.

Herbivores consuming plants help disperse seeds and dig up the ground to help plants grow.

Understanding Challenges

What causes conflict between humans and wildlife?

How can humans and wildlife coexist successfully?

From Conflict to Resolution

Learn

Act

Thrive

Be a Good Neighbor to Wildlife

Learn how to be a good neighbor to the wildlife around your home and in your city.

Coexisting in the Bay Area