The unequal burden of human-wildlife conflict

Communications Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 6(1)

Published: Feb. 23, 2023

Abstract Human-wildlife conflict is one of the most pressing sustainable development challenges globally. This particularly case where ecologically and economically important wildlife impact livelihoods humans. Large carnivores are such group their co-occurrence with low-income rural communities often results in real or perceived livestock losses that place increased costs on already impoverished households. Here we show disparities associated vulnerability to arising from large cattle ( Bos taurus ) Across distribution 18 carnivores, find economic predation (as measured by impacts annual per capita income) between two eight times higher for households transitioning developing economies when compared developed ones. potential burden exacerbated further because keepers these areas produce average 31% less meat animal than economies. In lowest-income areas, our estimates suggest loss a single cow bull equates nearly year half lost calories consumed child. Finally, 82% carnivore range falls outside protected five threatened have over third located sensitive areas. unequal human-carnivore sheds light importance grappling multiple conflicting goals: protecting life land eliminating poverty hunger.

Language: Английский

---

Identification of human–carnivore conflict hotspots to prioritize mitigation efforts

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 7(24), P. 10630 - 10639

Published: Nov. 5, 2017

Abstract Human–carnivore conflict is a primary driver of carnivore declines worldwide and resolving these conflicts conservation priority. However, resources to mitigate are limited should be focused on areas highest We conducted 820 semistructured interviews with community members living within Kenya's Maasai Mara ecosystem. A multiscale analysis was used determine the influence husbandry environmental factors livestock depredation inside enclosures (bomas). Areas high proportion closed habitat protected had risk depredation. Depredation most likely occur at weak bomas households where there were fewer dogs. results identify potential hotspots by mapping probability across landscape. 21.4% landscape classified as risk, areas, 53.4% that interviewed bomas. Synthesis applications . With available human–carnivore conflicts, it imperative identified Focusing mitigation measures high‐risk may reduce lead decrease in retaliatory killings predators.

Language: Английский

---

Comparison of habitat suitability and connectivity modelling for three carnivores of conservation concern in an Iranian montane landscape

Landscape Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 37(2), P. 411 - 430

Published: Jan. 28, 2022

Language: Английский

---

Leopard (Panthera pardus) Density and the Impact of Spotted Hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) Occurrence on Leopard Presence in the Maasai Mara Ecosystem, Kenya

African Journal of Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 63(2)

Published: Feb. 13, 2025

ABSTRACT The African large predator guild is one of the last intact guilds globally, and interactions between its members influence ecosystem functioning. We conducted camera‐trapping in Maasai Mara Ecosystem (MME) to estimate leopard ( Panthera pardus ) population density investigate whether lion leo hyaena Crocuta crocuta impact presence, while accounting for potential prey presence habitat. In 2019, we deployed cameras at 34 stations Triangle within MME 63 nights. estimated using a closed spatially explicit capture–recapture (SECR) framework examined predictors generalised linear mixed modelling. recorded 725 images 1.90 ± 0.56 individuals 100 km 2−1 , relatively low compared other areas only slightly higher than previous estimates cheetah, an ecologically subordinate competitor. best model predicting contained occurrence showed positive association, indicating ‘co‐occurrence’. Hyaenas commonly kleptoparasitise kills MME; that hyaenas may follow leopards this reason. Although our preliminary results indicate populations limit MME, further work required explicitly test hypotheses relating hyaena–leopard interactions.

Language: Английский

---

Understanding drivers of human-leopard conflicts in the Indian Himalayan region: Spatio-temporal patterns of conflicts and perception of local communities towards conserving large carnivores

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 13(10), P. e0204528 - e0204528

Published: Oct. 5, 2018

Human killing is the decisive and most critical expression of human-leopard conflict needs to be addressed sensitively maintain local support for leopard conservation in India. This research was undertaken investigate ecological aspects human injury, spatial characteristic pattern such sites, temporal seasonal trends attacks perception communities towards Indian Himalayan region (IHR). We surveyed two sites i) Pauri Garhwal western part ii) North Bengal (Dooars) eastern IHR, compiled secondary data on records made field visits (N = 101) sites. also conducted 186) semi-structured questionnaire surveys each assess leopard. analyzed using rare events model a binary logistic regression framework understand patterns incidents Bengal. The average number injuries deaths estimated 11 (SE 1.13) 3 0.6) per year between 2006-2016 whereas it 70 9.2) 1.6 0.3) respectively 2004-2016. About 97% 60% resulted injuries. Majority attack victims were children young people, middle aged tea estate workers. Attack humans recorded mostly near areas with dense scrub cover reported within tea-estates. percentage higher (40%) compared mere (3%) Forty-one percent respondents 75% positive presence A predictive risk map revealed central northern regions protected areas, peripheral south-western dooars (North Bengal) as high "human-leopard zones". analytical procedure can adopted other identify potential human-carnivore zones.

Language: Английский

---

Changing patterns of conflict between humans, carnivores and crop-raiding prey as large carnivores recolonize human-dominated landscapes

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 269, P. 109553 - 109553

Published: April 18, 2022

Large carnivores are making remarkable comebacks in Europe, but how this affects human-wildlife conflict remains unclear. Rebounding carnivore populations lead to increasing livestock depredation, which turn leads greater economic losses for farmers. However, returning could also influence the behavior of wild ungulates, themselves responsible major crop damage and associated losses. Here, we exploit natural experiment a rebounding wolf population Italian Apennines study affected both types conflic. We used large datasets occurrences (n = 351), depredation events 165), by boar 3442) independently model determinants distribution relation habitat suitability over ten-year period numbers. These analyses yielded two insights. First, depredations were mainly related insufficient prevention measures (e.g. lacking fencing) rather than landscape context, providing clear pathway mitigation. Second, decreased areas higher became more likely lower suitability, closer settlements. This suggests predation pressure forces boars avoid most suitable habitat, leading redistribution landscape. More generally, our highlights complex interactions as recover human-dominated landscapes, suggesting that multiple, co-occurring conflicts need be assessed jointly adaptively order foster coexistence between humans wildlife.

Language: Английский

---

Identifying sustainable coexistence potential by integrating willingness-to-coexist with habitat suitability assessments

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 279, P. 109935 - 109935

Published: Feb. 6, 2023

Persistence of species in the Anthropocene depends on human willingness-to-coexist with them, but this is rarely incorporated into habitat suitability or conservation priority assessments. We propose a framework sustainable coexistence potential that integrates demonstrate its applicability for elephants and rhinos socio-ecological system Maasai Mara, Kenya, by integrating spatial distributions peoples' based Bayesian hierarchical models using 556 household interviews, mapping validated long-term elephant observations from aerial surveys. Willingness-to-coexist was higher if people had little personal experience species, strongly reduced experiencing as threat to humans. The highlights areas low suitability, require more effort increase positive stakeholder engagement achieve persistence large herbivores human-dominated landscapes.

Language: Английский

---

Bells, bomas and beefsteak: complex patterns of human-predator conflict at the wildlife-agropastoral interface in Zimbabwe

PeerJ, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 5, P. e2898 - e2898

Published: Jan. 24, 2017

Reports of livestock depredation by large predators were systematically collected at three study sites in northwestern Zimbabwe from 2008-2013. We recorded 1,527 incidents (2,039 animals killed and 306 injured). Lions (Panthera leo) spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta) mostly responsible, cattle donkeys most frequently attacked. Patterns predation variable among sites. Nevertheless, some overall patterns apparent. Predators selected close to the size their preferred wild prey, suggesting behaviours evolved optimise foraging success may determine domestic species primarily preyed upon. Most attacks occurred when roaming outside away 'home' protective enclosures night. Hyaena largely nocturnal; lions leopards pardus) more flexible, with occurring day Livestock fitted bells suffered a disproportionate number attacks; sound appears have conditioned associate opportunities. Lion hyaena on frequent wet season that seasonal herding practices result vulnerability. Only small proportion conflict reported wildlife management officials bias towards lion events, potentially prejudicing policies. Predation stock involves an intricate interplay between predator behaviour ecology one hand human husbandry other. Our data suggest improved (supervision grazing animals, protection night strong enclosures) would greatly reduce depredation.

Language: Английский

---

Landscape predictors of human–leopard conflicts within multi-use areas of the Himalayan region

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 10(1)

Published: July 7, 2020

Conflict with humans is a significant source of mortality for large carnivores globally. With rapid loss forest cover and anthropogenic impacts on their habitats, are forced to occupy multi-use landscapes outside protected areas. We investigated 857 attacks livestock in eastern Himalaya 375 western by leopards between 2015 2018. Multivariate analyses were conducted identify the landscape features which increased probability depredation leopards. The risk leopard killing within heterogeneous matrix comprising both closed open habitats (very dense forests, moderate scrubland non-forests). used results map potential human-leopard conflict hotspots across parts Indian Himalayan region. Our spatial maps indicate pockets eastern, central part central, northern as conflicts. Most occurred when grazing freely areas without supervision herder. suggest that awareness about high areas, supervised grazing, removing vegetation around human settlements should be initiated reduce predation

Language: Английский

---

Mapping connectivity and conflict risk to identify safe corridors for the Persian leopard

Landscape Ecology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 35(8), P. 1809 - 1825

Published: June 25, 2020

Abstract Context Many large carnivores depend on habitat patches outside protected areas, as well safe corridors between them. However, corridor assessments typically ignore potential conflicts and people, which can undermine effectiveness thus conservation success. Objectives We identified dispersal conflict-prone movement bottlenecks for Persian leopard ( Panthera pardus saxicolor ) areas in the Alborz Mountains, Iran, by mapping habitat, landscape permeability, conflict risk. then priority interventions according to intensities of different threats. Methods mapped land cover using Landsat satellite images, gathered data prey distributions livestock depredation events via interview surveys 69 cells 6 × km each. used occupancy modeling identify patches, circuit theory analyze assessed human-leopard risk generalized linear models. Results Leopard use increased with availability decreased elevation. Prey distribution, turn, was mostly negatively influenced agricultural lands distance from areas. Conflict (i.e., probability livestock) high landscapes where agriculture widespread historical forest loss high. Not accounting overestimated connectivity among substantially. Conclusions Human-carnivore are an important constraint should be considered assessments. Our study shows how analysis, assessment, combined guide planning identifying networks human-dominated landscapes.

Language: Английский

---