Human activities are mutually exclusive to biodiversity. As our population grows, we conquer and ‘terraform’ the natural landscape to our own artificial needs. From urbanising landscape to transforming forest to farmlands, human activities are the direct factor to habitat loss. In an ecological perspective, this phenomenon is a catastrophe. Wildlife is among the victims that suffers the consequences. They represent a significant part of biodiversity – each species contributes individually to a healthy ecosystem. While some wildlife community are on the brink of extinction, some have adapted to urban environment.

 

History have shown human instinctively segregate civilisation from wildlife community (as they are threats during pre-historic times). Today humans cultivate a ‘monoculture’ lifestyle. We domesticate animals and grow farmlands in rural areas. On the other hand, we reconstruct ‘natural’ environments – parks and garden in our cities. Mono-culturing species at our own interest is destroying biodiversity. 

 

While human activities tend to segregate bio-community, much wildlife have adapted to our urban environment, ranging from outskirts to city centres. In many cases, they are just a nuisance in the urban landscape or rather seen as annoying pest. In different parts of the world, some culture regards wildlife as scared entities. However, most people in society are unaware that every living organism is important as each contributes to a balance ecosystem. 

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Cohabitation is defined as to dwell with another or share the same place, as different species of animals. Wildlife is seen to thrive mostly in residential areas. They feed on human waste and shelter in a warmer build environment (city heat). In many ways, we are cohabiting with wildlife. In short, this thesis investigates how to enhance cohabitation between human and wildlife community.