Human Disturbance is the Major Determinant of the Habitat and Prey Preference of the Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) in the Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Human disturbance significantly influences the habitat and prey preferences of Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) in Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Tigers favor successional forests, grasslands, and floodplains while avoiding Shorea forests and areas with high human activity. Prey preference analysis revealed a strong preference for medium-sized prey (e.g., chital, wild boar) over large-sized prey (e.g., sambar, gaur), likely due to their higher availability in the region. Tigers also utilize domestic prey more frequently in highly disturbed areas where wild prey is scarce. The study highlights that tiger behavior adapts to human-induced changes, increasing human-wildlife conflict and potentially leading to declines in prey populations. Effective park management, such as delineating core prohibited zones and buffer areas for local access, could mitigate these disturbances and support tiger conservation efforts.

Bhattarai, B. P., & Kindlmann, P. (2018). Human Disturbance is the Major Determinant of the Habitat and Prey Preference of the Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) in the Chitwan National Park, Nepal. European Journal of Ecology, 4(1), 13–21. https://doi.org/10.2478/eje-2018-0002