Date of Award
8-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Forestry and Environmental Conservation
Committee Chair/Advisor
Robert Baldwin
Committee Member
Elizabeth Baldwin
Committee Member
Erin Buchholtz
Committee Member
William Bridges
Abstract
Human-tiger conflict (HTC) is a growing problem in India as tiger populations rebound and human populations expand further into tiger habitats. The Kanha-Pench Corridor (KPC) is a wildlife corridor in Central India that experiences high densities of HTC. TrailGuard AI is a camera trap-based alert system deployed in the KPC to provide early warnings of tiger presence near villages in order to help reduce and prevent HTC. Over 1000 images from 6 TrailGuard cameras deployed in the KPC were utilized to identify spatial and temporal variables that influenced length of time between captures of human images and tiger images. Variables associated with smaller time intervals between human and tiger detections were dense vegetation, high livestock attack density, location near or far from villages and roads, low village density, location far from water sources, low or high prey density, and medium or high tiger density. Eight structured interviews were conducted with 11 villagers and 3 forest department staff members about their perceptions, experiences, and observations of TrailGuard AI camera traps. Participants’ perceptions of TrailGuard cameras were overwhelmingly positive, and all participants wanted more cameras to be deployed in the forests of the corridor. Some participants believed that TrailGuard cameras were helping to reduce human-tiger conflict and illegal activities such as poaching and tree felling. Social trust, education and outreach, perceived benefits, and tolerance for tigers were factors that contributed to villagers’ support for TrailGuard cameras.
Recommended Citation
Dawson, Aiyana, "Human-Tiger Spatial and Temporal Overlap and Perceptions of Camera Trap Surveillance in the Kanha-Pench Corridor of Central India" (2025). All Theses. 4596.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/4596