Brown bear and Persian leopard attacks on humans in Iran

Area of Science:

• Wildlife ecology
• Human-wildlife conflict
• Conservation biology

Background:

• Human-wildlife interactions, including large carnivore attacks, are a growing global concern.
• Such conflicts negatively impact both humans and wildlife, necessitating detailed characterization for effective mitigation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the temporal and spatial patterns of brown bear (Ursus arctos) and Persian leopard (Panthera pardus) attacks on humans in Iran.
• To identify species-specific attributes contributing to these human-carnivore conflicts.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of attack reports provided by the Government of Iran from 2012 to 2020.
• Characterization of attack patterns, including temporal (season, time of day) and spatial (provincial) distributions.
• Identification of involved species and victim demographics.

Main Results:

• A total of 83 attacks were recorded, resulting in 77 injuries and 6 fatalities.
• Brown bears accounted for 63% of attacks, while Persian leopards were responsible for 37%.
• Attacks were most frequent during daytime livestock herding in spring and summer, often involving defensive reactions and adult males; bears attacked more in western Iran, leopards in northern provinces.

Conclusions:

• The findings underscore the need for targeted management strategies to reduce human-carnivore conflict.
• Recommendations include establishing a national reporting system for attacks and developing comprehensive management plans to mitigate human risk.
• Improved human attitudes toward large carnivores are essential for their long-term conservation.