Work

Politicising problem wildlife: Insights from the ‘vermin’ campaign for the wild pig in Kerala, southern India

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Management strategies for nuisance wildlife species are typically contentious policy decisions that reveal much about socio-political tensions in a region as they do about the depredating behaviour of wildlife. We examined human-wild pig conflict in the state of Kerala, southern India, to understand the circumstances behind the state government repeatedly petitioning the federal government for a vermin status for wild pigs. Employing a mixed methods research approach, we collected field data on wild pig crop raiding intensities, conducted stakeholder interviews, and analysed various governmental and organisational documents related to the vermin status petitions. Our results show that various human groups supported a vermin status for the wild pig for socio-political reasons rather than economic factors. Human-human conflicts over wildlife are not limited to different human groups but can also occur between state and federal governments. We recommend the need for scientific field studies before wildlife management policies are put into place to deal with problem wildlife.

Source: Global Ecology and Conservation

DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e03841

Authors: Athira Balakrishnan, Sindhu Radhakrishna

Institutions: Manipal Academy of Higher Education, National Institute of Advanced Studies

Language: English

Topic: Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

Subfield: Ecology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Life on land

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,980