Center, Internet, Wildlife Damage Management
Human–Wildlife Interactions
Human–Felid Conflict in Corridor Habitats: Implications for Tiger and Leopard Conservation in Terai Arc Landscape, India
Date of this Version
Spring 2015
Document Type
Article
Citation
Human–Wildlife Interactions (Spring 2015) 9(1): article 5
doi: 10.26077/x9tx-gb97
Abstract
We use the Rajaji-Corbett corridor in the Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) in India to examine the pattern of human–felid conflict in wildlife corridors and its implications for the long-term persistence of tigers (Panthera tigris) and leopards (Panthera pardus) in the landscape. We administered a questionnaire survey of people residing in and around the corridor and also examined forest department records. Results revealed that leopards caused more frequent losses, whereas tigers caused greater economic losses. Local communities perceived leopards as a bigger threat than tigers, due to the intrusive nature of leopards (i.e., entering villages and houses and carrying off livestock and, in some cases, children). Although people currently are tolerant of wild felids, they are likely to become hostile to them in the future; we discuss specific strategies to resolve the conflicts.