Severities of wildlife attacks on humans in the vicinity of Chitwan National Park, Nepal
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| Year of publication | 2015 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
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| Description | Most of the studies on wildlife attacks on humans made so far have disproportionately focused on species-specific fatal cases, but more explorations are needed to understand the severities of attacks and flow of conservation benefits to the victims. In the vicinity of the protected areas, people may lose their lives, health and assets from attacks by wild animals like rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis), tiger (Panthera tigris), sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), elephant (Elephas maximus) and wild boar (Sus scrofa). This paper focuses on assessing extent of injuries caused by wildlife attacks in the vicinity of Chitwan National Park (CNP), Nepal. The assessment covers a period between 2003 and 2013. We used data acquired from various sources (group discussion (n = 33), interview with key stakeholders (n = 36), field observations, and household questionnaire survey (n = 329) among victims, and their relatives or eye witnesses). This study showed wildlife attacks were significantly correlated to environment of incident site, months and time, social activities, victim’s gender, age class and awareness on behaviour of attacking animals. On an average, 30 wildlife attacks on humans occurred in the vicinity of CNP annually. The injured persons were found facing substantially hardship livelihood conditions physically, mentally, and economically at their household levels. Patterns of wildlife attacks appeared significantly uneven across the seasons and months (p < 0.001).This study also showed that uneducated people, fisherman, and forest resource collectors suffered more or received more fatal cases than other people. This study suggests concerned authorities to educate local people /or make them aware on the behaviour of wild animals. The concerned authorities also need to lunch medical trauma centre and support local medical centres for carrying out immediate treatments of the victims at local level. |