The effects of war on human populations are generally well documented. With some exceptions, the harm done to animals and ecosystems is considered only as an afterthought (if at all).
But this week, in a letter in science journal Nature, researchers shifted the focus and examined how war in Africa effects large mammals. What does war do to elephants, hippos, warthogs or zebras? Researchers found that the frequency of war is strongly linked to declines in populations of large mammals.
During war, organizations set up to protect wildlife lose the capacity to maintain their programs and defend nature reserves. As local residents struggle to make ends meet and groups look for ways to earn money to buy weapons, poaching increases. As warfare encroaches upon habitat already shrunk and fragmented by human development, food and shelter become more scarce. As if these deaths by a thousand cuts aren’t enough, large mammals literally get caught in the crossfire.
Between 1946 and 2010, more than 70 percent of Africa’s protected natural areas were effected by conflict. Parts of Asia have been almost as bad. Yet of all the world’s large mammals species threatened with extinction, these two continents support the most.
Fortunately, not all the findings of the study were grim. It turns out that wildlife populations have an amazing ability to recover. Despite drastic decreases in numbers following periods of prolonged conflict, large-mammal populations rarely collapse. And with concerted efforts from wildlife agencies and local communities, habitats and populations have been shown to be able to recover. In Mozambique’s Gorongosa National Park wildlife levels are recovering, and are now at 80 percent of pre-war levels.
This month’s letter in Nature adds yet another to the many reasons to stand up and resist militarism, conflict and violence: for our animal friends. Without a human voice, elephants can’t advocate for their safety. No matter how desperate the suffering or how close to the brink of extinction, wildlife can’t call for reinforcements from the United Nations. It is up to us humans to work toward a more peaceful and hospitable world.
What’s New…
Humans are the worst species that ever walked this earth. Self-serving, egotistical asshole governments are the reason we have wars. Most people don’t even realize how many poor, innocent animals get killed in wars. 750,000 horses died in World War II! That is 750,000 too many. And, the atrocious cold-blooded murders go on. SAD.
More peacefulness, kindness and compassion in the world.
The (majority) of humans on this Planet are a disease to the Environment and to the (Innocent) that occupy it. 🙁 🙁
There has been war on planet Earth from the time our ancestors climbed down out of the trees millions of years ago. And today its still going on somewhere there is war, famine an death. If we hadn’t woken up when the atom bomb was invented an seen first hand the terrible loss of life that dropping the first bomb on citizens of another country I believe right now Earth would be nothing more than radioactive cinder circling the sun. Any other planets out there that have populations on them may have learned the same lessons we learned to save ourselves, many others may not have learned those lessons and are now extinct.
Il faut laissez la faune et tout les animaux tranquille une fois pour toute
Wars are stupid, they only make the arms dealers money, they do nothing nothing productive. But looking at the cruelty of people today, as opposed to 30 years ago, this won’t make sense to them. i remember seeing the horrific news coverage of the Vietnam war in the early 60’s, it just got worse. That was the war to end all wars, it was horrible! My thanks to those who served.
We do need to drive one species to extinction; the reptilian humans. They have ruled us for millennia and must be exterminated. Study true history and you will, if you open your mind to truth, that we have not only been their slaves, but were created for that purpose. They wanted to kill us off when they had finished with us. but we have prevailed to this point, and now must destroy them. They have no souls nor consciences.
I wonder the percentage of humans who are a scourge on this planet, the percentage who are heroes and the percentage who are just complacent? This article brings to mind the movie “After Earth” by Will Smith. The seen where they land on Earth long after it has recovered from the humans who have left after ruining it. The wildlife is abundant!!
It is high time that we realise the devasting impact that war has on animals both domestic and wild. Humankind has a lot answer for.
Africa Addio (1966) Un film che fa capire bene che a questi trogloditi frega poco della natura che li circonda, in pace cosi in guerra, se non possono distruggere quanto resta!
Thank you for finally realizing the impact that war has on animals! The loss of animal lives is just as devastating and can have a huge impact on the environment……..yet nobody seems to care or talk about it.