From Conflict to Coexistence: A shifting discourse in studies of the human-primate interface

Abstract

This paper traces a shift in how researchers talk about human-primate interactions, moving from a focus on conflict to a growing interest in coexistence. Although conflict—like crop-raiding and aggression—has dominated past research, these narratives often overlook mutual adaptation and positive relationships between people and primates. Drawing on a review of 30 years of literature, the author finds a slow but steady increase in coexistence-focused studies, particularly in Asia. I argue that embracing coexistence better reflects the complex reality of shared human-primate spaces and encourages more balanced, collaborative approaches to managing those relationships.