Spatial Concentrations of Wildlife Attacks on Humans in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Human-wildlife conflicts in Chitwan National Park, Nepal, show strong spatial correlations between attack densities of sloth bears and leopards (r ≈ 0.8), as well as among other species except elephants and wild boars at higher victim densities (>1 victim/4 km²). The study suggests dividing buffer zones into concentric rings to prioritize risk reduction based on human land use, potentially empowering local communities in conservation efforts. Researchers analyzed attack data across different land uses—such as nurseries, orchards, and cultivated areas—to identify high-risk zones and propose targeted mitigation strategies.

Ruda, A., Kolejka, J., & Silwal, T. (2020). Spatial Concentrations of Wildlife Attacks on Humans in Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Animals, 10(1), 153. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10010153