Examining leopard attacks: spatio-temporal clustering of human injuries and deaths in Western Himalayas, India

• DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2023.1157067
• Publication Date: 2023-05-31T14:13:32Z
• Authors: Shweta Shivakumar; David Carricondo-...; Vidya Athreya; Morten Odden; Sat Pal Dhiman; Srinivas Vaidyana...; Krithi K. Karanth
• Keywords: Leopard

Shared spaces in Africa and Asia accommodate both humans big cats. This engenders rare but distinctive cases of human fatalities by lions, tigers, leopards. Among cats, leopards have the widest range occur even among high densities humans. increased potential for encounters with results attacks, exemplified most India where 50% states report injuries deaths due to Himachal Pradesh (HP) state reported 30 lethal 287 non-lethal leopard attacks on per year between 2004 – 2015 (N=317). Identifying patterns cat people facilitates targeted interventions decreasing such fatalities. study aims detect if are cluster-causing agents deaths. We identify examining following questions: (a) do leopard-attributed cluster space time? (b) unprovoked spatio-temporally? (c) what environmental factors associated clustered humans? employed a space-time permutation scan statistic commonly used epidemiology test spatio-temporal clustering attacks. Attacks were spread across 75% (~42,000 km sq.) HP 11 out 12 districts. found that 23% into significant clusters. Nearly 14% (N=317) displaying “predatory” signs did not form Binomial regression models run association eight farther away from protected area boundary closer district had higher probability clustering. The framework developed this outbreak confirms absence dedicated “man-eaters” region. approach can be applied adaptively manage human-wildlife conflict it also demonstrates utility ecological research.