Assessing the implications of habitat transformations on human-large carnivore interactions outside protected areas

TL;DR

This study examines how habitat changes affect human-large carnivore interactions and identifies priority areas for mitigation in the Terai Arc landscape.

Contribution

The study maps spatial risk zones and links habitat changes to negative human-carnivore interactions in a transboundary landscape.

Findings

Five spatial risk zones were mapped based on the likelihood of negative human-carnivore interactions.

Changes in land-use, vegetation health, and human activity significantly influence interaction hotspots.

The findings aim to guide mitigation efforts and improve co-existence between humans and carnivores.

Abstract

Humans and wildlife have coexisted spatially and temporally for many years. However, this is disturbed when human-induced changes constrain limited and shared resources, leading to increased competition for resources and negative human-wildlife interactions. This study aims to examine the implications of habitat changes on human–large carnivore interaction (HLCI) and identify priority areas for negative interaction. The study was conducted in the Terai Arc landscape in two study blocks constituting three wildlife corridors in the Corbett and Indo-Nepal transboundary landscapes. This study assessed the decadal changes in habitats and identified priority sites of negative interaction based on reported wildlife attacks due to Panthera tigris and Panthera pardus. The study mapped five spatial risk zones, from very low to very high, and determined the effects of habitat changes on HLCI. Changes in land-use patterns, vegetation health, and anthropogenic activity have significant effects on hotspots of negative HLCI. Our results will support decision-makers and park managers in streamlining, managing, and prioritizing local and regional mitigation efforts at the identified sites. This approach will help improve the co-existence scenario in the landscape.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-13808-4.

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