Researchers from Kannur University and the University of Geneva carried out a comprehensive survey over three years, examining wildlife interactions in 49 villages across Wayanad district.
Their analysis revealed that monkey encounters dominated the reports, accounting for the highest proportion of incidents, with wild boars coming in second. The incidents ranged from minor property damage to more serious threats to livestock.
The results point to the urgency of developing community‑based conflict mitigation measures, such as better fencing, awareness programmes, and coordinated monitoring to protect both residents and wildlife.
