Spatial correlates of livestock depredation by Amur tigers in Hunchun, China: Relevance of prey density and implications for protected area management

摘要: Livestock depredation by highly endangered Amur tigers is a major source of human-tiger conflict in Northeast China. We model livestock risk to understand factors shaping the spatial distribution conflicts using Hunchun, China as case study. Ungulate occupancy survey data, presence ungulate snares and other landscape covariates (such elevation, slope tree cover) were first used prey densities generalised least squares. Predicted then incorporated together with predictors for actual incidents zero-inflated negative binomial risk. Lower overall associated proximity snares, anthropogenic-related like distances villages roads also important densities. Depredation closer rivers, greater from roads, cover, deciduous forest habitats. High-risk areas found be concentrated community-management zones Hunchun National Nature Reserve (HNR). The results suggest that compensation payments depredations within HNR provide an unwanted incentive local people continue use protected area (especially community co-managed zones) grazing lands, leading increased conflict. Eliminating cattle snaring tiger recovery may essential reduce minimise detrimental impacts on populations.