China Compensates Residents for Rising Wildlife Damage as Populations Rebound

China is taking proactive steps to address the growing challenges posed by the country's improving biodiversity and rising populations of protected wildlife species. In 2024, the government spent over 100 million yuan ($13.94 million) on compensating residents for damages caused by wild boars, benefiting more than 70,000 farming households.

As animal habitats recover and their populations increase, incidents of wildlife encroaching on human settlements and causing crop destruction, livestock predation, property damage, and even personal injuries have become more common. To mitigate these conflicts, over 20 provincial-level regions in China have introduced localized wildlife damage compensation systems that define payment standards and coverage scope.

Improving and expanding these compensation mechanisms is now a priority for the Chinese government as it seeks to balance conservation efforts with public well-being. Alongside the compensation programs, the country is also strengthening wildlife monitoring, improving risk assessments, and innovating new compensation models to ensure timely support for those affected by wildlife-related losses.

These efforts come as China has seen significant ecological gains in recent years. The number of wintering waterbirds nationwide reached a record high of over 5 million in 2024, and populations of more than 300 rare and endangered species have steadily increased. However, these improvements have also brought new challenges, as the overlap between animal habitats and human activity zones has led to increased friction and conflicts.