The status of farmers' conflict with wildlife in Mazandaran province

Currently, conflict with wildlife is one of the most important problems of farmers and stockbreeders in Mazandaran province which leads to damaging human life and property (destruction of livestock and crops). Conflict with wildlife can lead to farmers' refusal and discouragement of farming and livestock rising. It will result in an increase in the rate of migration from village to city, and the risk of wildlife extinction due to the destruction of wildlife by farmers. The correct and practical management of the conflict in the first step requires the identification of its actual presence, type, magnitude and severity. In this research, 200 questionnaires, was done by personal and face to face interviews with farmers and livestock breeders of Mazandaran province within seven sub-districts (including Kojour, Hezar jarib, Dodange, Chahar bagh, Tonekabon, Amol and Babol). The results showed that 181 interviewees (90.5%) had experience of wildlife conflict and 19 people (9.5%) had no conflict with wildlife. According to the findings, wild boar (Sus scrofa) was responsible for the greatest destruction of agricultural products (91% rice, 95.9% cereal, 52.9% fruit tree and 86% vegetables), and the wolf (Canis lupus) was responsible for the most attacks on cattle (cow 56.8%, sheep 84.34% and goat 66.08%). The information obtained from this study about identifying conflicting species can help in preventative measures to better manage these conflicts by focusing on the type of species and products that are most vulnerable to destruction in the area.