The ecology and evolution of human-wildlife cooperation

Human-wildlife cooperation is a type of mutualism in which a human and a wild, free-living animal actively coordinate their behaviour to achieve a common beneficial outcome. While other cooperative human-animal interactions involving captive coercion or artificial selection (including domestication) have received extensive attention, we lack integrated insights into the ecology and evolution of human-wildlife cooperative interactions. Here, we review and synthesise the function, mechanism, development, and evolution of human-wildlife cooperation. Active cases involve people cooperating with greater honeyguide birds and with two dolphin species, while historical cases involve wolves and orcas. In all cases, a food source located by the animal is made available to both species by a tool-using human, coordinated with cues or signals. The mechanisms mediating the animal behaviours involved are unclear, but they may resemble those underlying intraspecific cooperation and reduced neophobia. The skills required appear to develop at least partially by social learning in both humans and the animal partners. As a result, distinct behavioural variants have emerged in each type of human-wildlife cooperative interaction in both species, and human-wildlife cooperation is embedded within local human cultures. We propose multiple potential origins for these unique cooperative interactions, and highlight how shifts to other interaction types threaten their persistence. Finally, we identify key questions for future research. We advocate an approach that integrates ecological, evolutionary and anthropological perspectives to advance our understanding of human-wildlife cooperation. In doing so, we will gain new insights into the diversity of our ancestral, current and future interactions with the natural world. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Automated summary

Human-wildlife cooperation is a mutualistic relationship where humans and free-living animals actively coordinate their behavior for a common beneficial outcome. This article reviews and synthesizes the function, mechanism, development, and evolution of human-wildlife cooperation. The study identifies active cases involving cooperation with honeyguide birds and two dolphin species, as well as historical cases involving wolves and orcas. The article highlights the importance of social learning in developing the necessary skills for cooperation and emphasizes the distinct behavioral variants that have emerged in these interactions.