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At Lion Landscapes, we believe that real progress in conservation comes from thoughtful, evidence-based discussions. This belief has been central to our work, whether we’re supporting communities in coexisting with wildlife or addressing the complexities of human-carnivore conflict. Recently, our joint CEO, Professor Amy Dickman, tackled an increasingly important issue in her latest article: how online hostility and personal attacks can derail meaningful conservation discussions and hinder the search for real solutions.
In her piece, Amy highlights how polarising debates, particularly around controversial topics like trophy hunting, can quickly turn toxic when hate speech takes centre stage. Instead of fostering a space for open dialogue, conversations often shut down due to anger and personal attacks. This is harmful not only to conservation but also to the communities and wildlife we work to protect. Constructive conversations, rooted in facts and respect for different viewpoints, are essential to finding solutions that benefit both people and wildlife. Amy’s response calls for more of this – for creating spaces where debate can flourish without devolving into hostility.
This blog post builds on our earlier piece, Courage and Complexity in Conservation, where we explored the bravery it takes to stand up for difficult conversations. Conservation, by its very nature, is filled with tough choices, competing priorities, and ethical challenges. It’s easy to be swept away by oversimplified narratives, but true progress comes from acknowledging and working through complexity. As Amy points out, these aren’t easy conversations, but they are necessary.
By sharing Amy’s article, we hope to encourage a broader discussion on how we can engage in more productive, respectful conservation dialogue. The challenges we face as a conservation organisation – from managing human-wildlife conflict to ensuring the sustainability of ecosystems – are far too important to let them be derailed by online hostility. Now, more than ever, it’s crucial that we remain focused on evidence-based, solution-oriented discussions.
As we continue our work at Lion Landscapes, we invite others to join us in promoting respectful and constructive conservation conversations. Whether you agree or disagree on specific approaches, the ultimate goal is to protect wildlife, support communities, and foster coexistence between people and nature. Let’s ensure that the focus remains on what really matters.
Read Amy’s full article "Online hate hinders nuanced conservation debates — a call for a better way forward".
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