Characterizing human–tiger conflict in and around Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, western India

Abstract

Human–carnivore interactions often influence carnivore conservation and result in mitigating conflicts. We studied human–tiger (Panthera tigris) conflicts in pastoral villages adjacent to Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve (RTR), Rajasthan, India for 6 years (2005–2011) and characterized and examined the causes of conflicts. We recorded 113 human–tiger conflicts. Most of the conflicts between humans and tigers were from attacks on domestic livestock (88.5 %) and humans (11.5 %). Among livestock, cows, bulls, and calves accounted for 31.6, 21.1, and 16.7 %, respectively, of tiger kills followed by buffalos (19.3 %) and goats (11.4 %). Locations of depredations on livestock occurred inside villages (53.4 %), agriculture fields (44.5 %), and forests (1.9 %). We recorded 13 attacks on humans: nine were nonlethal, but four resulted in death. Attacks on humans occurred in agriculture fields (n = 6), forests (n = 5), and within <500 m of villages (n = 2). Attacks on humans and livestock varied seasonally, with the highest conflicts in summer (n = 36) and during the monsoon (n = 42). Factors that may have caused human–tiger conflicts include tiger movements, fragmentation of corridors, and human disturbance. Some of the insurance from compensation for deaths and injury could be used to mitigate conflicts, as has been done with other larger cats to minimize conflicts.