Rapid Disaster Risk Assessment of Wild Animal Attacks: With Special Reference to Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) in Aceh, Indonesia (original) (raw)
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A rapid disaster risk assessment was carried out to identify key hazards, assess vulnerabilities and analyze risks of future animal attacks and recommend key mitigating measures to make existing and prospective communities in Mata Ie and Arongaon villages in Sampoinet sub-district resilient to future disasters. Data from both primary and secondary sources were collected. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview key community informants. Data were collected from field observations and consultation with government agencies and NGOs. For the analysis of the hazard and vulnerability of the prospective communities, the crunch, and pressure and release models were used. Risk analysis was done using risk matrix. The study revealed that flooding, inundation, river bank cutting and disturbance from wild animals were the major natural hazards in the locality. Vulnerability analysis showed that this area had a very high damage potential to flooding, inundation and river cutting. Risk assessment based on the hazard potential and vulnerability analysis shows that the area falls within the very high flood risk zone . Wild animals especially wild pigs damaged crops, ate chicken, ducks and fruits. Four goats were reported to have killed by tigers recently. Three tigers of different ages were seen in the months of November and December 2007. No tiger was seen or encountered before or after the period even if communities are close to the dense forest. There is highly unlikely to have man-eater tiger present in the nearby forest. No symptom of desperation, stress, trauma or panic among key informants was noticed during the interviews and consultation. Based on the hazard, vulnerability and capacity assessment of communities, the risk of future disaster due to tiger attack is low. Since the Aronggaon and neighboring Jeupheuk communities have been living for more than four decades in the locality and no tiger incidences happened in their knowledge, the selection of sites for housing construction could not be termed as inappropriate. The availability of land for housing, road access to markets and city areas, productive land and nearby forest for their daily cooking and ranching for cattle/livestock made this site appropriate for housing. Since there is a high risk of flooding and its secondary effects, it is recommended that detailed mitigating measures be identified and implemented by mobilizing local communities. Although the community risk due to tiger attack is low and presence of hazard is purely by chance and not a regular phenomenon, some mitigating measures such as community awareness raising in order to reduce the hazard and increase community capacity thereby reducing vulnerabilities is suggested. Key words: rapid disaster risk assessment, Sumatran tiger, Indonesia, Mitigation measures
Human–Tiger Conflict in Context: Risks to lives and livlihoods in the Bangladesh Sundarbans
Human Ecology, 2013
Abstract People’s perceptions of the risk posed by wild animals to human lives and/or livelihoods can influence the rate at which people intentionally kill these species. Consequently, human–wildlife conflict (HWC) management strategies may benefit from the inclusion of actions which reduce risk perceptions. This study uses Participatory Risk Mapping (PRM) and semi-structured interviews to explore local perceptions and the wider socio-economic context of human–tiger conflict (HTC) in the Bangladesh Sundarbans area. Of the 24 locally-relevant problems identified by the PRM process, tigers were the only problem to be cited by >50 % of respondents. The ‘tiger problem’ was also perceived by villagers to be of relatively high severity. Negative perceptions of tigers in the Sundarbans communities are exacerbated by other locally-experienced poverty-related problems, as well cyclones, floods and soil erosion. Interactions between the problems experienced by villagers, including HTC, result in a complex ‘risk web’ which detrimentally affects lives and livelihoods and ultimately perpetuates poverty levels in the Sundarbans communities. This research demonstrates that PRM and in-depth, qualitative research can enhance understanding of the perceivedmagnitude andwider socio-economic context of risks fromwildlife and aid the identification of risk perception management actions which may help to reduce the number of animals killed by people.
Human–Tiger Conflict in Context: Risks to Lives and Livelihoods in the Bangladesh Sundarbans
Human Ecology, 2013
People's perceptions of the risk posed by wild animals to human lives and/or livelihoods can influence the rate at which people intentionally kill these species. Consequently, human-wildlife conflict (HWC) management strategies may benefit from the inclusion of actions which reduce risk perceptions. This study uses Participatory Risk Mapping (PRM) and semi-structured interviews to explore local perceptions and the wider socio-economic context of human-tiger conflict (HTC) in the Bangladesh Sundarbans area. Of the 24 locally-relevant problems identified by the PRM process, tigers were the only problem to be cited by >50 % of respondents. The 'tiger problem' was also perceived by villagers to be of relatively high severity. Negative perceptions of tigers in the Sundarbans communities are exacerbated by other locally-experienced poverty-related problems, as well cyclones, floods and soil erosion. Interactions between the problems experienced by villagers, including HTC, result in a complex 'risk web' which detrimentally affects lives and livelihoods and ultimately perpetuates poverty levels in the Sundarbans communities. This research demonstrates that PRM and in-depth, qualitative research can enhance understanding of the perceived magnitude and wider socio-economic context of risks from wildlife and aid the identification of risk perception management actions which may help to reduce the number of animals killed by people.
Journal of Forest and Natural Resource Management
Human fatalities and livestock depredation are the ultimate manifestation of human–tiger conflict (HTC). It is one of the major challenging issues that need to be sorted out where such incidences occur frequently. This study aimed to investigate the status of HTC and mitigation measures adopted by local communities in Madi valley adjacent of Chitwan National Park (CNP). Data were collected through household interviews (n=52, including 25% victim’s households), direct field observation and CNP archive records from 2014 to 2018. This study revealed that average livestock depredation was 15.60 (n=78, mean=5.06, SE±1.66) animals per year and among them goats were highly depredated animals (n=39, mean=7.80, SE±2.33). It also showed that livestock depredation trend increased at the rate of 4.1 animals per year but that of human casualties decreased at the rate of -0.3 persons per year during 2014 to 2018. Predation proof corrals, mesh wire fencing, traditional fencing using white cloths a...
Enabling sustainable community-based human-tiger conflict management in Seluma, Bengkulu, Indonesia
Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity
Human-wildlife conflict has emerged as one of the major threats to the global population of large carnivores. This condition applies to the endemic and Critically Endangered Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae). Although efforts to resolve conflict have been made from time to time, a sustainable solution is still very much needed, particularly given the unique characteristics of each case and area of conflict. A community-based approach to human-tiger conflict management can become a local-based solution towards a more sustainable management. This study aims to identify needs, gaps, and next steps related to collective action and sustainable community-based human-tiger conflict management in Seluma, Bengkulu, using a qualitative approach with literature review followed by semi-structure interview method. This study's findings show that in the context of community-based human-tiger conflict management, the needs and gaps are still identified, particularly in: training and capacity building, adaptive management and applied research, communication and information exchange, policy frameworks and legal instruments, as well as funding. To make community-based human-tiger conflict management sustainable, the strength and sustainability of: coherent legal instruments; commitment, involvement, active role, communication, and support from all stakeholders, and; comprehensive environmental, social and economic data-based planning; need to be ensured.
Wildlife hazards and disaster risk reduction
International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 2019
This article makes a case for including wildlife and human-wildlife conflicts in both research on disasters and policies geared towards reducing the risk of disasters. It builds upon a scoping study conducted in Namibia to emphasise that wildlife hazards affect all dimensions of people's livelihoods, including physical, economic, human and natural resources, that are threatened at all time of the year, days and nights. In Namibia, the permanent and multidimensional nature of the threat makes wildlife the most significant hazard, ahead of seasonal flooding and drought. Nonetheless, wildlife hazards are absent of disaster risk reduction policies. Conversely, successful conservation policies have purposefully amplified wildlife hazards in hope of boosting associated tourism opportunities while human-wildlife conflict policies have so far focused on post-incident response and compensation. Wildlife hazards thus fall between the cracks of conservation policies, humanwildlife conflict management and disaster risk reduction.
Reliable information on wildlife populations and the threats they face is crucial for assessing the performance of conservation strategies. As part of its efforts to improve the effectiveness of Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park in Sumatra, Indonesia, and aid the recovery of flagship species, the Park's management authority designated a , km forest block an Intensive Protection Zone. To set a baseline from which to evaluate the performance of this zone, we investigated the density of tigers Panthera tigris sumatrae, and spatio-temporal interactions between tigers, their principle prey and threats. The estimated density of tigers was . per km , whereas in camera-trapping failed to record any tigers in the Intensive Protection Zone. We found the study area contained a rich prey base, with muntjac deer Muntiacus muntjak, macaques Macaca nemestrina and wild pigs Sus scrofa occupying –% of the area, and sam-bar Rusa unicolor %. Despite these promising findings we also recorded a relatively high number of people entering the Park illegally, with incidents over months, of which % involved armed poachers. The poachers operated mainly at night and were concentrated in two locations. Law enforcement patrol teams were active during the day, and therefore had little overlap with the poachers. Prioritizing these at-risk areas for increased protection by rangers would further secure the Intensive Protection Zone, and expanding ranger activity across the Park would support efforts to remove the Park from UNESCO's List of World Heritage In Danger.
Oryx, 2017
Reliable information on wildlife populations and the threats they face is crucial for assessing the performance of conservation strategies. As part of its efforts to improve the effectiveness of Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park in Sumatra, Indonesia, and aid the recovery of flagship species, the Park's management authority designated a , km forest block an Intensive Protection Zone. To set a baseline from which to evaluate the performance of this zone, we investigated the density of tigers Panthera tigris sumatrae, and spatio-temporal interactions between tigers, their principle prey and threats. The estimated density of tigers was . per km , whereas in camera-trapping failed to record any tigers in the Intensive Protection Zone. We found the study area contained a rich prey base, with muntjac deer Muntiacus muntjak, macaques Macaca nemestrina and wild pigs Sus scrofa occupying -% of the area, and sam-bar Rusa unicolor %. Despite these promising findings we also recorded a relatively high number of people entering the Park illegally, with incidents over months, of which % involved armed poachers. The poachers operated mainly at night and were concentrated in two locations. Law enforcement patrol teams were active during the day, and therefore had little overlap with the poachers.
Journal of Threatened Taxa
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) is one of the famous tiger reserves in India, situated in Uamria District of Madhya Pradesh. Data on human-tiger conflict were collected from the forest record during the period from 2001 to 2011 and a questionnaire survey was conducted to know the level of human-tiger conflict. A total of 27 human casualties were recorded, of which 40.75% were lethal (death) and 59.25% were injuries. A total of 1,603 livestock killing were recorded by tiger, of which consisting of 76.54% (1227) cattle (cow/ox), 22.52% (361) buffaloes and 0.93% (15) goats. Illegal entry into the core and buffer area for collection of minor forest produce, daily needs, and livestock grazing were observed to be the major reasons behind the existing conflict. Poor livestock shelter was also found responsible for mauling of cattle by tigers. The forest department had provided adequate compensation for the losses, but most of the respondents were unsatisfied due to assorted reasons. Poa...
Wildlife attacks on humans and economic losses often result in reduced support of local communities for wildlife conservation. Information on spatial and temporal patterns of such losses in the highly affected areas contribute in designing and implementing effective mitiga-tion measures. We analyzed the loss of humans, livestock and property caused by wildlife during 1998 to 2016, using victim family's reports to Chitwan National Park authorities and Buffer Zone User Committees. A total of 4,014 incidents were recorded including attacks on humans, livestock depredation, property damage and crop raiding caused by 12 wildlife species. In total >400,000 US dollar was paid to the victim families as a relief over the whole period. Most of the attacks on humans were caused by rhino, sloth bear, tiger, elephant, wild boar and leopard. A significantly higher number of conflict incidents caused by rhino and elephant were observed during full moon periods. An increase in the wildlife population did not coincide with an equal rise in conflict incidents reported. Underprivileged ethnic communities were attacked by wildlife more frequently than expected. Number of attacks on humans by carnivores and herbivores did not differ significantly. An insignificant decreasing trend of wildlife attacks on humans and livestock was observed with significant variation over the years. Tiger and leopard caused >90% of livestock depredation. Tigers killed both large (cattle and buffalo) and medium sized (goat, sheep, pig) livestock but leopard mostly killed medium sized livestock. Most (87%) of the livestock killing during 2012–2016 occurred within the stall but close (<500m) to the forest edge. Both the percentage of households with livestock and average holding has decreased over the years in buffer zone. Decreased forest dependency as well as conflict mitigation measures (electric and mesh wire fences) have contributed to keep the conflict incidents in control. Strengthening mitigation measures like construction of electric or mesh wire fences and predator-proof livestock corrals along with educating local communities about wildlife behavior and timely management of problem animals (man-eater tiger, rage elephant etc.) will contribute to reduce the conflict.