scholarly journals Patterns of livestock depredation and human-wildlife conflict in Misgar valley of Hunza, Pakistan

Author(s):  
Rubina Bano ◽  
Akbar Khan ◽  
Tahir Mehmood ◽  
Waqas Sami ◽  
Muhammad Zafar Khan ◽  
...  

Abstract Predators can cause a significant economic damage though preyed on livestock. These conflicts prompt a negative attitude towards their conservation and also leads towards retaliatory killing. Here we composed data from 100 household on livestock using a semi-structured questionnaire survey from 2014 to 2019 on livestock population, depredation patterns, predation count and conservation approaches. The poison regression model showed significant increasesd of predation count at P<0.05 among 22 influential factors such as age , gender, occupation, education of respondent, estimated population of predators, threats index for predators and conservation. A total of 364 out of 9270 livestock damaged by predators and non-predatory factors during the last six years. Among them 168 (1.81 %) attributed by wolf, 142 (1.53 %) by snow leopard and 54 (0.58%) by non-predatory factors. Our results showed an increase of 11 % in the overall population and an average of 60 animals were preyed by predators and non-predatory factors each year. The foremost threat to the mammalian predator was retaliatory killing. The guarded grazing and construction of predator-proof corral pens were identified to protect the domestic livestock predation by wolf and snow leopard respectively. This study specifies measures of conservation to minimize human-carnivore conflicts.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rubina Bano ◽  
Akbar Khan ◽  
Tahir Mehmood ◽  
Saeed Abbas ◽  
Muhammad Zafar Khan ◽  
...  

AbstractThroughout the world, livestock predation by mammalian carnivores causes significant economic losses to poor farmers, and leads to human–wildlife conflicts. These conflicts result in a negative attitude towards carnivore conservation and often trigger retaliatory killing. In northern Pakistan, we investigated livestock depredation by large carnivores between 2014 and 2019, and subsequent Human–wildlife conflict, through questionnaire-based surveys (n = 100 households). We used a semi-structured questionnaire to collect data on livestock population, depredation patterns, predation count, and conservation approaches. We found a statistically significant increasing pattern of predation with influential factors such as age, gender, occupation, education of respondents, population of predators, threats index for predators and conservation efforts. Some 310 livestock heads with an average of 51 animals per year out of the total 9273 heads were killed by predators, and among them 168 (54%) were attributed to the wolf and 142 (45.8%) to snow leopard. Major threats to carnivores in the area included retaliatory killing, habitat destruction and climate change. Incentivization against depredation losses, guarded grazing and construction of predator-proof corral may reduce Human–wildlife conflict and both livelihood and predator can be safeguarded in the study area.


Oryx ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 621-628
Author(s):  
Saloni Bhatia ◽  
Stephen Mark Redpath ◽  
Kulbhushansingh Suryawanshi ◽  
Charudutt Mishra

AbstractHumans have lived alongside and interacted with wild animals throughout evolutionary history. Even though wild animals can damage property, or injure humans and domesticated animals, not all interactions between humans and wildlife are negative. Yet, research has tended to focus disproportionately on negative interactions leading to negative outcomes, labelling this human–wildlife conflict. Studies have identified several factors, ranging from gender, religion, socio-economics and literacy, which influence people's responses to wildlife. We used the ISI Web of Knowledge database to assess quantitatively how human–wildlife interactions are framed in the scientific literature and to understand the hypotheses that have been invoked to explain these. We found that the predominant focus of research was on human–wildlife conflict (71%), with little coverage of coexistence (2%) or neutral interactions (8%). We suggest that such a framing is problematic as it can lead to biases in conservation planning by failing to consider the nuances of people's relationships with wildlife and the opportunities that exist for conservation. We propose a typology of human responses to wildlife impacts, ranging from negative to positive, to help moderate the disproportionate focus on conflict. We suggest that standardizing terminology and considering interactions beyond those that are negative can lead to a more nuanced understanding of human–wildlife relations and help promote greater coexistence between people and wildlife. We also list the various influential factors that are reported to shape human–wildlife interactions and, to generate further hypotheses and research, classify them into 55 proximate (correlates) and five ultimate (mechanisms) factors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Salahadin Merkebu ◽  
Dereje Yazezew

Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) has increased globally because of an increase in the human population, particularly in developing countries. This study was conducted to investigate the status of HWC and the attitude of local communities to wildlife conservation around Borena Sayint National Park, Northeastern Ethiopia. Data were collected between September 2017 and May 2018 using a face-to-face questionnaire survey (230), focus group discussions (7), and direct observation on the crop foraging. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the responses were compared using a nonparametric Pearson chi-square test. The majority of respondents (70%) reported the existence of HWC manifested because of the damage received to their assets (both crop and livestock). Canis aureus, Panthera pardus, Crocuta crocuta, and Papio hamadryas were stated as livestock depredators. Gelada, rabbit, porcupine, klipspringer, bushbuck, and duiker were considered as the major crop raiders. Over half (57.83%) of the respondents had a positive attitude, while others (36.09%) had a negative attitude towards the conservation of wildlife due to frequently faced problems. Respondents in different villages differed significantly (χ2 = 27.385, DF = 12, P < 0.05 ) in their attitude towards wildlife. Possible mitigation actions need to be undertaken to reduce the wildlife damage such that wildlife can sustainably be managed in the park.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (03) ◽  
pp. 182-190
Author(s):  
Phub Dorji

Human-wildlife conflict is a serious problem to conservation efforts worldwide. This is also true for Bhutan, where carnivores depredate livestock of farmers, affecting farmer’s livelihood, however, there is sparse documentation on the extent of human dhole interaction in Bhutan’s some of the important areas of conservation interest. Therefore the aim of this research was to evaluate the extent of human dhole interaction, income lost due to depredation and the perception of the farmers towards dhole conservation. Data were collected from 160 households within two strata of rural and semi-urban area in western Bhutan through semi-structured questionnaire and focused group discussions. Livestock depredation involved seven predators, which caused loss of 5% of the total average annual income of the farmers; which were significantly different between the predators involved. Dhole killed significantly more livestock than other predators and maximum kills were made in rural area than semi urban area. 60% of the incomes lost due to wild predators were caused by dhole with major impact in rural area. Majority of the respondents from rural area exhibited negative attitude towards dhole conservation. They suggested livestock depredation compensation schemes and other livelihood alternatives to minimize the impact of conflict, whereas majority of the respondents from semi-urban suggested electric fencing around their village as measures to reduce human wildlife conflict. Livestock compensation and insurance schemes, integrated conservation development programs, educational outreach programs with other livelihood alternatives such as ecotourism are recommended as intervention strategies to minimize human dhole conflict and create harmonic co-existence.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-233
Author(s):  
Manoj Pokharel ◽  
Chandramani Aryal

Local people are the major stakeholders of biodiversity conservation. Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) could result in a negative attitude of the general public towards wildlife adding challenges for conservation. This is more applicable in the landscapes which are outside the protected area (PA) coverage. But, the majority of HWC related studies in Nepal have centered on PAs and their peripheries. This study documents the prevailing situation of HWC in Sundarpur of Udayapur district that shelters some HWC prone wildlife species, while situating outside PA. Data about conflict and people's perception of wildlife conservation was collected using household surveys supplemented by key informant interviews and direct observation. Monkeys (93%, n=93) and elephants (86%, n=86) were found to be the major animals involved in the conflict, mostly resulting in crop raiding, the major form of conflict as reported by (95%, n=95) of respondents. Livestock depredation cases were mostly by common leopard (84%, n=21) and sloth bear was involved in the majority of human attack cases (90%, n=9). The results showed increasing trend of conflicts for elephants (63%, n=63) and monkeys (73%, n=73), while declining trend for sloth bear (64%, n=64), wild boar (85%, n=85), and leopard (46%, n=46). People believed the natural attraction of wildlife towards crops and livestock to be the major driving factor of conflict. Majority of respondents had a positive attitude towards wildlife conservation. However, implementation of community based conflict management strategies, robust compensation schemes along with conservation education programs are highly essential to achieve desired conservation success.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wajid Rashid ◽  
Jianbin Shi ◽  
Inam ur Rahim ◽  
Shikui Dong ◽  
Hameeda Sultan

Trophy hunting and mass tourism are the two major interventions designed to provide various socioeconomic and ecological benefits at the local and regional levels. However, these interventions have raised some serious concerns that need to be addressed. This study was conducted in Khunjerab National Park (KNP) with an aim to analyze comparatively the socioeconomic and ecological impacts of trophy hunting and mass tourism over the last three decades within the context of sustainability. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with key stakeholders and household interviews were conducted to collect data on trophy hunting and mass tourism, and on local attitudes towards these two interventions in and around KNP. The results revealed that 170 Ibex (Capra sibirica) and 12 Blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) were hunted in the study area over the past three decades, and trophy hunting was not based on a sustainable harvest level. Trophy hunting on average generated USD 16,272 annual revenue, which was invested in community development. However, trophy hunting has greatly changed the attitudes of local residents towards wildlife: a positive attitude towards the wild ungulates and strongly negative attitude towards wild carnivores. In addition, trophy hunting has reduced the availability of ungulate prey species for Snow leopards (Panthera uncia), and consequently, Snow leopards have increased their predation on domestic livestock. This has, in turn, increased human–snow leopard conflict, as negative attitudes towards carnivores result in retaliatory killing of Snow leopards. Furthermore, according to official record data, the number of tourists to KNP has increased tremendously by 10,437.8%, from 1382 in 1999 to 145,633 in 2018. Mass tourism on average generated USD 33,904 annually and provided opportunities for locals to earn high incomes, but it caused damages to the environment and ecosystem in KNP through pollution generation and negative impacts on wildlife. Considering the limited benefits and significant problems created by trophy hunting and mass tourism, we suggest trophy hunting should be stopped and mass tourism should be shifted to ecotourism in and around KNP. Ecotourism could mitigate human–Snow leopard conflicts and help conserve the fragile ecosystem, while generating enough revenue incentives for the community to protect biodiversity and compensate for livestock depredation losses to Snow leopards. Our results may have implications for management of trophy hunting and mass tourism in other similar regions that deserve further investigation.


Geography ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan B. Dixon ◽  
Afework Hailu ◽  
Tilahun Semu ◽  
Legesse Taffa

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