Identifying Human-Tiger Conflict Risk and Priority Management Areas in Laoyeling, Northeast China

Abstract

Realizing coexistence between humans and tigers is an important initiative of tiger recovery in the world. To define the priority management areas (PMAs) to mitigate the human-tiger conflict (HTC) in Laoyeling, where 90% of China's Amur tiger population is living, we analyzed the distribution of tiger habitat and HTC risk, and delineated PMAs for HTC mitigation. The results indicated that 26.77% (1851 km²) of Laoyeling is the most suitable habitat for the Amur tiger. The high-risk area for HTC covers an area of 1173 km², of which 413 km2 is the most suitable habitat for tiger. Among the six PMAs, 374 km² of 1398 km² are located outside protected areas and need to strengthen conservation and management. Our research can contribute to improving the management effectiveness of HTC in Laoyeling and promoting the recovery of the Amur tiger in China.

Keywords

Amur tiger / human-tiger conflict / Northeast China / priority areas

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2024 The Author(s). Wildlife Letters published by Northeast Forestry University and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.