Indigenous & Local Knowledge

This section focuses on the knowledge systems and practices developed by Indigenous peoples and local communities over generations. It includes traditional ecological knowledge, customary resource management strategies, and locally grounded approaches to coexistence with wildlife. Highlighting this knowledge emphasises its relevance for sustainable conservation, conflict mitigation, and participatory decision-making.

Key Papers

Ampumuza, C. 2022. Living with gorillas? Lessons from Batwa-gorillas’ convivial relations at Bwindi Forest, Uganda.  Download

Bijoor, A., M. Khanyari, R. Dorjay, S. Lobzang, and K. Suryawanshi. 2021. A need for context-based conservation: incorporating local knowledge to mitigate livestock predation by large carnivores. Frontiers in Conservation Science 2.  Download

Brackhane S, Fukuda Y, Xavier FME, et al. 2024. Wildlife conservation through traditional values: alarming numbers of crocodile attacks reported from Timor-Leste. Oryx, 58(3):347-350. External resource

Brackhane, S., G. Webb, F. M. E. Xavier, J. Trindade, M. Gusmao, and P. Pechacek. 2019. Crocodile management in Timor-Leste: drawing upon traditional ecological knowledge and cultural beliefs. Human Dimensions of Wildlife 24:314-331.  External resource

Cocimano, M. A., A. S. Nanni, and A. E. Izquierdo. 2021. Co-building knowledge on human-puma conflict: a case study in a village of the Argentine Puna ecoregion. Human Dimensions of Wildlife:1-20.  External resource

Heisel, S. E., E. King, F. Lekanta, F. Lemoile, C. Ryan, I. Lemerketo, S. Sundaresan, E. Malsbury, and B. Bruyere. 2021. Assessing ecological knowledge, perceived agency, and motivations regarding wildlife and wildlife conservation in Samburu, Kenya. Biological Conservation 262:109305.  External resource

Jolly, H., T. Satterfield, M. Kandlikar, and S. TR. 2022. Indigenous insights on human–wildlife coexistence in southern India. Conservation Biology n/a:e13981.  External resource

Miller, K.M., Berg, G., Indigenous Knowledge Keepers of Churchill, Lickers, M., McIvor, N., and Henri, D.A. 2025. Coexistence between people and polar bears supports indigenous knowledge mobilization in wildlife management and research. Communications Earth and Environment 6(74). External resources

Nishima-Miller, J., Johnson, L.R., Provencher, J.F., Alexander, S.M., Wilcox, A.A.E., Roy, C., Hanna, K., and Bowles, E. 2025. Bridging Indigenous knowledge systems and Western science for the co-management of wildlife in Canada: A systematic review. Environmental Reviews. Download

Pierre, M. A., K. S. Jacobsen, M. T. Hallett, A.-E. M. Harris, A. Melville, H. Barnabus, and C. Sillero-Zubiri. 2023. Drivers of human–black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) conflict in Indigenous communities in the North Rupununi wetlands, southwestern Guyana. Conservation Science and Practice 5:e12848.   Download

Pooley, S. 2016. A cultural herpetology of Nile crocodiles in Africa. Conservation and Society 14:391  Download

Saunders, L., & Jukes, S. (2025). Learning to Live with Dungalaba: Embracing Indigenous Knowledge Practises for Respectful Coexistence with Saltwater Crocodiles in the Northern Territory. Australian Journal of Environmental Education 0, 1–14. External resources

Van der Ploeg, J., R. R. Araño, and M. van Weerd. 2011. What local people think about crocodiles: challenging environmental policy narratives in the Philippines. The Journal of Environment & Development 20:303-328.  External resource