Caught between a rock and a wild place: the rising threat of human-wildlife conflict in South Africa

Recent reports in South Africa suggest an increase in wildlife incidents, raising concerns about human-wildlife conflict, poaching and the dangers posed by certain species. 

Just yesterday, “IOL News” reported a hyena attack at the Cape Vidal campsite.

The animals entered a man’s tent through a small opening, dragging him out and causing severe injuries. 

He fought them off and was rescued by his father. KwaZulu-Natal’s Ezemvelo Wildlife and iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority responded to the incident.

A park spokesperson said, “Our thoughts are with the individual, and we extend our sincerest wishes for a swift and full recovery.” Authorities are now working to capture and relocate two or three hyenas believed to have been involved.

In 2023, 30-year-old Johannes Matshe was killed by a lion at the Dinokeng Game Reserve. He was an employee of one of the landowners and was attacked while navigating the reserve on foot after dark.

Hartogh Streicher, the reserve spokesperson, said, “The individual was tragically attacked and killed by lions while attempting to navigate the reserve on foot after dark.”  

Last year, a Spanish tourist was crushed by a herd of elephants in Pilanesberg National Park after leaving his vehicle to photograph the animals closely. 

These incidents reflect risks present in many reserves and parks across the country.

Cameron Doyle, a specialist in conservation tourism and consultant to the Mantis Collection, says understanding these risks is critical.

He notes, “Africa’s population has grown from 140 million to 1.4 billion over the last century and this has created extensive pressure on wildlife habitats. Habitat loss, agricultural expansion and increasingly unpredictable climate conditions have changed the way wildlife behaves and moves across the landscape.”

Doyle adds, “As more land is converted for farming, wildlife is confined to smaller areas with fewer resources. Livestock and wildlife increasingly share the same spaces; a cow consumes the same grazing as roughly four impala, which shows how significant this pressure can be."

"These changes reduce the tolerance wildlife has for human presence, especially where past encounters have involved conflict or displacement. We have seen an increase in incidents.” 

Walking safaris remain popular, but they carry risks.

Doyle explains, “They bring you into a space where you do not control all the variables. For example, an elephant encountered on a walk could have been chased away from a nearby village or crop field the previous night."

"That context is invisible to guests but informs the elephant’s response to human presence. In these moments, guides are the first line of defence, interpreting behaviour and deciding when to retreat, redirect or calmly stand ground.” 

Rangers leading walks in SA complete more than 200 hours of dangerous game training.

Doyle emphasises, “They follow strict protocols and are taught that firearms are a last resort. Even so, a protective elephant, moving at full speed at close distance, leaves very little margin for warning shots or hesitation.”

Guides recall moments where quick thinking made the difference.

“Such incidents are reminders that wildlife is inherently unpredictable and precisely why strict standards and situational awareness are so important,” Doyle says. 

Doyle warns against viewing the wilderness as a theme park.

“Safari experiences are often marketed as intimate, immersive adventures. While that is true, it must be balanced with clarity around the realities of wild systems."

"Responsible operators never overstate danger, but viral videos showing dramatic encounters can unintentionally encourage thrill-seeking and distort the respectful, measured approach that defines professional fieldwork.”

Human behaviour plays a significant role in wildlife incidents.

Doyle says, “While ecological pressures drive much of the risk, human behaviour is a factor we can control. In self-drive situations, tourists often leave their vehicles for a better photograph or move too close to wildlife."

"In some areas, drones are flown despite clear rules prohibiting them. These behaviours stem from viewing wilderness as a backdrop rather than a living system.”

“True safety relies not just on guides and protocols but on guests following instructions and accepting that wild places do not need added danger to be meaningful,” Doyle adds. 

Guided walks are safe when conducted by professionals, but they depend on strict rules to protect people and wildlife. 

His guidelines for bush safety are clear: never run, stay in single file, be wind-wise, avoid sudden movements, keep quiet, trust your gut and never try to interpret animal behaviour on your own.

“You can be stupid in the bush or you can be old. You cannot be both,” he says.