Posttraumatic stress and psychological impacts of human wildlife conflict on victims, their families and caretakers in Botswana

This article highlighted the consequences associated with negative human-nature interactions among local communities and the complexities that stakeholders deal with (or do not) when it comes to human-wildlife conflict (HWC). The study utilized concurrent triangulation research design to ascertain the magnitude as well as explore the psychosocial impacts of HWC on primary, secondary, and vicarious victims. The key findings revealed that local people exposed to life threatening wildlife attacks express fear and animosity toward wild animals and often feel rejected and disappointed from a fragmented government service delivery system. Unsightly scars and repeated surgeries on victims of HWC remind them of the horrific and traumatic events of their encounters with wildlife. The results offer valuable insights into the social and psychological impacts HWC. Psychosocial intervention and constructive surgery are required to enable HWC victims to face their new normal after these accidents.