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This season of Forces for Nature is extra special- all of the guests are participants in the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders (EWCL) program, a global network of conservationists who are pushing the boundaries of how people and wildlife can thrive together. As EWCL celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, I’m spotlighting some of the inspiring individuals whose work is shaping the future of conservation.

To kick things off, I sat down with Dr. Hugo Pereira, a field veterinarian with the Mozambique Wildlife Alliance. Hugo’s job might sound like it’s all about the animals- from darting elephants, to rescuing orphaned rhinos, and rehabilitating pangolins- but as he makes clear, conservation is just as much about people. In Mozambique, communities and wildlife share the same land, which means Hugo’s work often starts with listening to frustrations, building trust, and co-creating solutions that reduce conflict and create opportunity. And while you may never lift a rhino calf into a helicopter or pull an elephant out of the mud, you probably do encounter your own version of human–wildlife conflict whether it’s deer eating your garden, coyotes prowling your neighborhood, or simply the daily choices of how your community shares space with nature. Hugo’s “people-first” approach shows us that coexistence starts with compassion, creativity, and persistence and the principles he lives by in the savannas of Mozambique are the same ones that can guide us in our own backyards.

Highlights

• The adrenaline and precision behind rescuing a rhino calf orphaned by poachers.
• How Hugo and the Mozambique Wildlife Alliance adapt with creativity in the field to save animals in crisis.
• Why a “people-first” approach is essential for reducing human-wildlife conflict and creating space for coexistence.

What YOU Can Do

• Volunteer your skills to support local zoos or conservation institutions.
• Share conservation stories on social media. Spreading the right information helps raise awareness and attract wider support. 
• Donate to conservation organizations.
• Educate yourself about organizations in your own area: Who they are, why they do what they do, and what would happen if they didn’t exist. This awareness builds empathy and informed support.
• Get informed about local wildlife and why they’re present. Understanding why deer, coyotes, or other species show up in neighborhoods helps people move from frustration to tolerance.
• Modify your environment to prevent conflict:
  • Build or adjust fences to keep animals out of gardens or crops.
  • Use deterrents like flashlights, noises, or scarecrows, depending on the species.
• Recognize “tolerance” as an important step: we don’t have to love the wildlife around us, but learning to tolerate them is the bridge toward coexistence.

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