Research on Coexistence between Animals and Humans

Research Topic
Research on coexistence between animals and humans

Lead Researcher
Miho Murayama, Professor, Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University

Joint Researchers
Gen’ichi Idani, Professor, Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University

Satoshi Hirata, Professor, Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University

Yoko Mitani, Professor, Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University

Hideki Sugiura, Associate Professor, Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University

Kodzue Kinoshita, Assistant Professor, Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University

Nature, including wildlife, and human society cannot be separated and have always coexisted and been deeply intertwined. With the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, experiences in nature, for example, activities in forests or mountain streams, mountaineering, and camping, have become more and more popular as travel destinations to avoid closed and crowded places. Such movement of people also increases their possibility of contact with wildlife. There are many zoonotic diseases, including the novel coronavirus, and it is highly likely that new problems will arise in the future. The relationship between humans, wildlife and nature needs to be urgently reviewed. Therefore, it is an urgent task to review the bidirectional influences of the natural environment and human society in the future, and to propose a sustainable symbiotic relationship between humans and animals.

In this research project, we will hold activities to protect the lives of wildlife through fieldwork.

In addition, based on analyses of animal genetic or behavioral scientific elements in order to conduct research related to health and welfare through rearing wildlife, in cooperation with the KRC, we will present a new perspective on how the lives of wild animals can be related to human society and how people can coexist with nature; for example, through the assessment of the relationship between wildlife and local communities, or the evaluation of the impact of changes in the natural environment on animals, including the anthropogenic impact.

2021/07/01