Human-Wild Pig Conflict in Selected States in India and Mitigation Strategies

We investigated the human–wild pig conflict in 5 different states in India. In these states,the wild pig populations are fragmented and relatively isolated all over. Agricultural crop depredation andattacks on humans being by wild pigs is a major problem. During 1990-2008, a total 309 human killingand injury cases were caused by wild pigs in these states. There was marked monthly variation inhuman casualties. Highest number of casualties occurred in November (n = 61). Wild pigs causedmaximum human casualties in forests (73.8%) than crop fields (21.7%) and villages (4.5%). Highestnumber of 92 human casualties occurred in the age group of 41-50 years. Highest number of 97 humancasualties occurred between 0801-1200 h (n = 97). Damage to agricultural crops by wild pigs was ofvarying extent (5-36%). As a result, people have developed antagonistic attitude towards the wild pigswhich adversely affect the conservation efforts. Recommendations have been made for reducing thehuman–wild pig conflict in these states.