India, July 17 -- The Goa forest department has written to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) for a "systematic study of all wildlife in areas outside protected areas" to reduce human-animal conflict.

Aiming to assess wildlife in forest-adjacent areas mapped as conflict zones-along with existing animal corridors, vulnerability mapping for each species, potential threats, and mitigation measures-Goa's conservator of forests (wildlife and ecotourism), Naveen Kumar, wrote to the Dehradun-based institute earlier this week.

At least four incidents of leopard attacks on pets, livestock, and a person were reported. Two weeks ago, a sloth bear attacked a farmer along the Goa-Karnataka border, injuring him. "This alarming situation demands fo...