Effectiveness of Predator Proof Enclosures to Reduce Livestock Depredation

The conflict has been in existence for many years, both in developing and developed countries. In Nepal, particularly livestock predation can result in great economic losses to communities as well as decline in carnivore's species. The human-wildlife conflict has been intensified by loss of wildlife habitats, negative community attitudes, and reduction in wild prey base due to the rapid demographic developments. The threats and vulnerability assessment conducted in 2016 suggests that Human Wildlife Conflict (HWC) is critical to biodiversity conservation. This issue is burgeoning in the corridors and buffer zones of Protected Areas. To overcome this in Nepal, Hariyo Ban Program has been working significantly in the implementation of various curative and preventive measures. Preventive measures against the Human Wildlife conflict implemented under the program included: Power fence, plantation of unpalatable crops, predator proof coral distribution, and early warning system. These measures help to deter wildlife from the possible conflicts between human and wildlife. Among all, predator proof corral (enclosure) support is one of the major interventions to deter Human Wildlife Conflict (HWC) for the reduction of livestock depredation by wildlife. The research entitled "Effectiveness of Predator Proof Enclosure" was carried out in 182 households in twenty buffer zone communities of three districts: Kanchanpur, Bardiya, and Banke. This study intended to document the effectiveness of predator proof enclosure/pen to prevent livestock from wild predator's attacks (targeted to small livestock as goats/sheep/pigs) and prepare a report on the effectiveness of predator proof enclosures for reduction of livestock depredation by wildlife and in mitigating human-predator conflict in corridors and buffer zones of protected Areas. The study used Individual Household Survey (IHS), Key Informant Survey (KIS), and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) to collect data from the field. Collected data were analyzed qualitatively. The findings of the study revealed that the Modern Predator Proof Pen are highly effective in preventing livestock from wild predator attacks and also making a positive impact on enhancing the economic status of people residing in buffer zone areas. People were found grateful towards Hariyo Ban support and contribution, which is helping them in many ways. The support of modern predator seemed to be an excellent initiative to prevent livestock from wild predators' attack and is also playing a role in conservation as it is reducing Human Wildlife Conflict (HWC). The study found that the use of predator proof enclosures has resulted in a significant reduction in livestock depredation by wildlife. The enclosures have also helped to improve the economic status of the people living in the buffer zone areas. The study suggests that the use of predator proof enclosures is an effective way to mitigate human-predator conflict in corridors and buffer zones of protected Areas. The findings of the study have implications for the management of human-wildlife conflict in Nepal and highlight the need for continued support for the use of predator proof enclosures as a conservation tool. The study was conducted in three districts: Kanchanpur, Bardiya, and Banke, which are located in the Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) and Chitwan Annapurna Landscape (CHAL) of Nepal. The study areas were selected based on the presence of protected areas and the high incidence of human-wildlife conflict. The study used a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods. The study found that the use of predator proof enclosures has resulted in a significant reduction in livestock depredation by wildlife and has improved the economic status of the people living in the buffer zone areas.