Living with the Wild

As Africa's human population continues to grow, people and wildlife are sharing the same landscapes more than ever before. For many communities, living alongside elephants and other wildlife is part of everyday life. It brings moments of incredible beauty, but also real challenges.

Living with the Wild is a five-part documentary series from IFAW that explores what coexistence really looks like. Through the voices of local communities, traditional leaders, conservationists and rangers, the series goes beyond the headlines to uncover the realities of sharing space with wildlife, and the innovative solutions helping both people and nature thrive.

Join us as new episodes premiere every two weeks on YouTube.

The challenge of coexistence

For centuries, people and wildlife have lived alongside one another. Today, growing populations, expanding infrastructure and changing landscapes are increasing the pressure on both.

When elephants raid crops, predators attack livestock or communities lose access to natural resources, the impacts can be devastating. For families already facing daily challenges such as food security and access to clean water, living with wildlife can come at a significant cost.

Conservation cannot succeed without recognising these realities. Lasting solutions must protect wildlife while also improving the lives of the people who share these landscapes. Coexistence is not simply about preventing conflict. It is about creating a future where both people and wildlife have the space and opportunity to thrive.

IFAW's approach

At IFAW, we believe conservation works best when it starts with people.

Across Africa, we partner with local communities, governments and conservation organisations to develop practical, long-term solutions that reduce conflict while protecting wildlife. These include securing wildlife corridors, supporting community-led conservation, improving access to water, strengthening livelihoods and creating safer landscapes for both people and animals.

This work forms part of IFAW's Room to Roam initiative, a visionary approach to reconnecting, restoring and protecting the landscapes that elephants and other wildlife need to survive. By keeping habitats connected and supporting the communities who live alongside wildlife, Room to Roam is helping build a future where coexistence is possible.

What happens when people and wildlife are forced to share the same space?

Across Africa, communities are living alongside elephants, lions and other wildlife every day. As people and wildlife increasingly share the same landscapes, finding ways to coexist has never been more important.

Through powerful storytelling and firsthand perspectives, Living with the Wild follows communities, conservationists and local leaders working to find practical solutions that protect wildlife while supporting the people who share their landscapes.

Watch the official trailer

Follow the series

New episodes of Living with the Wild premiere every two weeks on IFAW's YouTube channel.