Coexistence challenges: wolf-human interactions in Türkiye

Area of Science:

• Wildlife ecology
• Conservation biology
• Human-wildlife interactions

Background:

• Human-wolf conflicts in Türkiye present substantial challenges to biodiversity conservation and rural economies.
• Understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of these conflicts is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the spatiotemporal patterns of wolf attacks on livestock and human safety threats over two decades.
• To identify key environmental and anthropogenic drivers of conflict hotspots in Türkiye.

Main Methods:

• Utilized georeferenced conflict reports from 2004 to mid-2025.
• Employed advanced spatial modeling techniques to analyze conflict patterns and influencing factors.

Main Results:

• Over 12,000 livestock casualties recorded between 2004 and mid-2025.
• Conflicts are concentrated at night, along habitat edges near rural settlements, particularly in eastern and central Anatolia.
• Increased conflicts observed in autumn and spring, correlating with livestock grazing seasons.

Conclusions:

• Landscape features like land cover, road density, and proximity to protected areas significantly influence conflict risk.
• Insights are vital for developing targeted mitigation strategies, including habitat management and community engagement.
• Promoting human-wolf coexistence requires integrating ecological, socio-economic, and policy-based solutions for sustainable wildlife management.