Animal Attacks on Humans , Are Increasing Amid Climate Change , and Growing Populations.<br />NBC reports that attacks on humans <br />by carnivorous animals have <br />been on the rise since 1950.<br />According to a study published Jan. 31, <br />growing human populations in new areas <br />increase the chances of such incidents occurring.<br />Meanwhile, other experts have warned that climate <br />change presents another contributing factor that <br />is increasing conflict between humans and wildlife.<br />The report was published <br />in the peer-reviewed <br />journal 'PLOS Biology.'.<br />According to Vincenzo Penteriani, an ecologist <br />at the Spanish National Research Council, rising <br />populations have led to an increase in global attacks.<br />If you combine the reduction of natural <br />habitat with the expansion and spreading <br />of human settlements, it’s almost normal <br />that the encounters between large <br />carnivores and humans become more <br />frequent. It’s just a question of probability, Vincenzo Penteriani, Ecologist at the Spanish <br />National Research Council, via NBC.<br />Briana Abrahms, an assistant professor and wildlife <br />ecologist at the University of Washington, suggests that <br />climate change also forces wildlife closer to humans.<br />In high-income countries, most carnivore <br />attacks happen during recreational <br />activities such as hiking or camping.<br />In low-income countries, <br />carnivore attacks are more common <br />among people who are hunting or farming. .<br />According to the study, <br />32% of all attacks were fatal. .<br />When animals are forced into close quarters, <br />when there’s not enough habitat or you have <br />these climate-driven changes that are <br />pushing animals and people together, <br />that’s when conflict is more likely, Daniel Thornton, assistant professor at Washington State <br />University studying carnivore ecology and conservation, via NBC
