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Tiger Habitat Occupancy in Chitwan-Parsa Complex: Implications for Human-Tiger Conflict Management Strategies
Anil Prasai1,2, Saneer Lamichhane3, Abhinaya Pathak4,5
1Central Department of Zoology Tribhuvan University Kathmandu Nepal.
Tiger populations are rebounding in Nepal, increasing human-tiger conflict. High human population density (HPD) significantly reduces tiger and prey habitat use, driving conflict rescue locations, especially where prey is abundant.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Conservation Biology
- Wildlife Management
Background:
- Tiger populations in Nepal are recovering, leading to increased human-tiger coexistence challenges.
- The Chitwan-Parsa Complex (CPC) is a critical habitat, with core zones and buffer zones managing human activities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model tiger distribution and habitat use within the Chitwan-Parsa Complex (CPC) and surrounding forests.
- To identify factors influencing tiger presence and habitat use, and their relationship with human-tiger conflict.
Main Methods:
- A Bayesian occupancy model was used with data from a sign survey conducted in December 2021-February 2022.
- Occupancy and detection were estimated on 10km x 10km grids, and tiger/prey use on 2km x 2km subgrids.
- Modeled tiger-use distribution was compared with conflict data (tiger rescues/relocations).
Main Results:
- Average estimated tiger occupancy (ψ) was 0.90, with detection (p) at 0.34.
- Tiger presence strongly correlated with prey occupancy at the home-range scale.
- Human population density (HPD) significantly reduced habitat use by tigers and prey, and was a key driver of conflict rescues.
Conclusions:
- Habitat use by tigers is influenced by prey availability, vegetation, elevation, and critically, human population density (HPD).
- High HPD areas significantly increase the odds of human-tiger conflict rescues, especially in areas with high prey use.
- Conservation strategies must integrate HPD management and prey distribution to mitigate human-tiger conflict effectively.
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