Animal Attacks on Humans , Are Increasing Amid Climate Change , and Growing Populations.
NBC reports that attacks on humans
by carnivorous animals have
been on the rise since 1950.
According to a study published Jan. 31,
growing human populations in new areas
increase the chances of such incidents occurring.
Meanwhile, other experts have warned that climate
change presents another contributing factor that
is increasing conflict between humans and wildlife.
The report was published
in the peer-reviewed
journal 'PLOS Biology.'.
According to Vincenzo Penteriani, an ecologist
at the Spanish National Research Council, rising
populations have led to an increase in global attacks.
If you combine the reduction of natural
habitat with the expansion and spreading
of human settlements, it’s almost normal
that the encounters between large
carnivores and humans become more
frequent. It’s just a question of probability, Vincenzo Penteriani, Ecologist at the Spanish
National Research Council, via NBC.
Briana Abrahms, an assistant professor and wildlife
ecologist at the University of Washington, suggests that
climate change also forces wildlife closer to humans.
In high-income countries, most carnivore
attacks happen during recreational
activities such as hiking or camping.
In low-income countries,
carnivore attacks are more common
among people who are hunting or farming. .
According to the study,
32% of all attacks were fatal. .
When animals are forced into close quarters,
when there’s not enough habitat or you have
these climate-driven changes that are
pushing animals and people together,
that’s when conflict is more likely, Daniel Thornton, assistant professor at Washington State
University studying carnivore ecology and conservation, via NBC