Study in Wayanad Finds Monkeys and Wild Boars Drive Human-Wildlife Conflict

A three-year scientific study conducted across 49 villages in Wayanad has identified monkeys as the species most frequently involved in reported human-wildlife interactions, with wild boars ranking second.

The research was carried out by scientists from Kannur University and the University of Geneva, who surveyed villages in the district over the three-year period to document the patterns of conflict between people and wildlife.

The findings place monkeys at the top of the list of species responsible for reported interactions, followed by wild boars. The study covered a substantial number of villages, providing a broad picture of how human-wildlife conflict is distributed across the district.

Wayanad, a district known for its forest cover and wildlife, has seen recurring tensions between local communities and animals that venture into inhabited areas. The study's identification of monkeys and wild boars as the leading sources of reported conflict adds a scientific dimension to an issue that affects daily life in many villages.

The research, spanning three years and involving two academic institutions, offers a systematic account of which species are most commonly involved when residents report encounters with wildlife.