Assessing human–Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) conflicts in Kumrat Valley—Western flanks of Hindu Kush Region, northern Pakistan

Abstract

The rapid expansion of the human population into wildlife habitats increases human-wildlife conflicts (HWC) and threatens the survival of dwindling wildlife populations. HWCs are a major problem globally but are most prevalent in countries where a major part of the population adopts agro-pastoralist life as the primary source of income. In Pakistan, HWCs has led to a highly negative attitude towards apex predators and are one of the chief reasons for the retributory killing of rare carnivore species. One such carnivore involved in HWCs is the Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus), listed as vulnerable globally and in Pakistan. Surveys of human-bear interactions were conducted in Kumrat Valley of Dir upper district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. We used a semi-structured questionnaire to interview 104 randomly selected respondents between February-March 2022. According to the respondents, Asiatic black bears attacked 14 individual livestock over the past two years, incurring an economic loss of USD 2392. However, respondents incurred a higher economic loss though damages to crops, causing a total loss of USD 7302 with an annual economic loss of USD 3651 (USD 35.1 per household). Guarding of livestock was the predominant factor influencing patterns of livestock predation. Season was the main influence on rates of crop damage, with the highest levels observed in summer. 67.31% of respondents had a negative attitude towards the black bear and wanted its elimination or reduction from the area owing to economic losses. The people's attitudes were influenced by four factors: education, agricultural land owned, livestock owned, and bear sightings. Despite economic losses and negative attitudes towards black bears, not a single bear has been killed by the locals. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that insurance schemes for crop damage and livestock losses are implemented. These should be coupled with effective awareness campaigns to ensure and maintain the peaceful co-existence of Asiatic black bears with humans in this intact ecosystem.