Human-wildlife “conflict” (HWC) can occur when humans and wild animals interact in an unwanted or unsafe way. In California, habitat loss and a changing climate have increased the frequency and type of wildlife incidents and HWC reported to CDFW. It has become more common for people to observe, encounter, and even interact with wildlife while recreating outdoors or living alibg an urban-wildlands interface as wild animals search for limited resources such as food.
As the State's trustee agency for fish and wildlife, CDFW has developed a free HWC Toolkit and other resources to help proactively reduce or prevent conflict.