Living with tigers Panthera tigris : patterns, correlates, and contexts of human–tiger conflict in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Human-tiger conflict in Chitwan National Park, Nepal, significantly increased during 2007–2014, with 75.9% of human casualties occurring in the buffer zone and 66.7% within 1 km of the park boundary. The study, analyzing compensation data, found that livestock depredation was proportional to their availability, with goats being the most affected (55%), while tiger attacks on people were mostly accidental (77.8%) during activities like fodder or fuelwood collection. No correlation was observed between conflict and wild prey density, human or livestock population, forest area, rainfall, or temperature. Male tigers constituted 73.3% of those removed due to conflict. The research recommends prioritizing preventive measures using a conflict map and implementing strategies such as zoning enforcement, improved livestock husbandry, participatory monitoring, insurance schemes, and community awareness.

Dhungana, R., Savini, T., Karki, J. B., Dhakal, M., Lamichhane, B. R., & Bumrungsri, S. (2017). Living with tigers Panthera tigris : patterns, correlates, and contexts of human–tiger conflict in Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Oryx, 52(1), 55–65. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0030605316001587