The Rising Threat of Wild Animal Attacks: Insights from a Retrospective Study
Aug 28, 2024
2024/8/26
A comprehensive retrospective study titled “Pattern of injuries due to wild animal attack among patients presenting to the emergency department” reveals an alarming trend in human-wildlife conflicts (HWCs) and their significant impact on public health, especially in the context of Eastern India. The increasing encroachment of human populations into wildlife habitats has intensified interactions between humans and wild animals, leading to a rise in injuries and fatalities.
1. The study collected data from May 2017 to May 2021, focusing on 411 patients who were victims of wild animal attacks in Eastern India. 374 of these cases were snakebites, while 37 were caused by wild mammalian (WM) attacks. This disparity highlights the predominance of snake-related incidents in human-wildlife conflicts in the region.
2. The paper found that elephants accounted for the majority of WM attacks, causing severe injuries such as blunt trauma to the chest and abdomen. Neurotoxic snakebites dominated the statistics, with 55.4% of cases showing neurological symptoms, a pattern consistent with the presence of highly venomous species like cobras and kraits in the region.
3. The most common time for animal attacks was early morning, between 4:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., for wild mammalian attacks. This suggests that individuals heading out for early morning activities are particularly vulnerable. On the other hand, snakebites occurred most frequently during midday, particularly between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., indicating a different risk pattern for these two types of incidents.
4. The study emphasizes the urgent need for improved preventive strategies for HWCs, especially in regions with high wildlife populations, such as Eastern India. Strengthening emergency preparedness in hospitals and ensuring the availability of antivenom and other critical care resources are essential for managing these injuries effectively.
Introduction
Human-wildlife conflicts (HWCs) have emerged as a growing public health concern globally, driven by the expansion of human settlements into natural habitats. This study, conducted in Eastern India, aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the demographic profiles, injury patterns, and outcomes of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) following wild animal attacks. The region’s dense forests and rich biodiversity make it particularly prone to HWCs, with snakebites and large mammal attacks being common occurrences.
The study is particularly significant because it highlights not only the types of injuries sustained but also the time and location patterns of these incidents. By shedding light on the specific demographics most affected, such as rural male workers, it provides valuable insights into which populations are most at risk. This information is critical for developing targeted intervention strategies that can reduce the incidence and severity of wild animal attacks.
Method
This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted over a four-year period, from May 2017 to May 2021, at a tertiary-care hospital in Eastern India. Data was retrieved from medical records, and all patients of any age or gender who presented with injuries caused by wild animals were included. The exclusion criteria were incomplete data and injuries resulting from domestic or stray animal attacks.
The data collected included demographic details such as age, gender, occupation, and time and place of the attack. The mechanism of injury, whether direct (physical contact with the animal) or indirect (injuries caused by accidents during the encounter), was also recorded. Injuries were categorized based on anatomical location and severity, using the injury severity score (ISS) to assess trauma levels. The study adhered to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines.
Statistical analysis was conducted using R (version 3.6.1), with the Shapiro-Wilk test determining the normalcy of numerical data. Categorical variables were expressed as percentages, and comparisons of ISS between different groups of animals were made using the Kruskal-Wallis test. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant, providing a robust framework for analyzing the data and identifying key trends in injury patterns.
Result
1. Victims of Wild Animal Attacks
The study identified a total of 411 cases of wild animal attacks, with snakebites being the most frequent at 90.9%. Among the remaining 9.1%, wild mammals, particularly elephants, were responsible for the majority of injuries. The mean age of victims of wild mammalian (WM) attacks was 46 years, while for snakebite victims, it was slightly lower at 36 years. The male-to-female ratio was significantly skewed, with males making up 80% of all victims, likely due to their higher engagement in outdoor activities and agricultural work.
Elephants accounted for 40.5% of WM attacks, and the timing of these attacks was notable, with 43.2% occurring between 4:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., suggesting that human-wildlife encounters are more likely during early morning hours. In contrast, snakebites most commonly occurred between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., with a peak during the rainy season, reflecting the activity patterns of both humans and snakes. The attacks by wild animals were typically unprovoked, with only two incidents involving provocation.
Among snakebite victims, neurotoxic envenomation was the most common (55.4%), and the lower extremities were the most frequently bitten (72.9%). This pattern is consistent with earlier studies from this region, highlighting the role of neurotoxic snake species such as cobras and kraits in human-wildlife conflicts. In terms of location, most WM attacks (40.4%) occurred in rural residential areas, followed by urban areas (35.2%), indicating that wild animals are increasingly venturing into human habitats. Elephant attacks were associated with severe injuries, particularly blunt trauma.
2. Injury Severity
The injury severity score (ISS) varied significantly between different types of wild animal attacks. The median ISS for wild mammal attack victims was 18.5, with over half of the patients (54.2%) experiencing polytrauma (ISS > 15). Elephant attacks were more likely to result in higher ISS scores, with many victims suffering from blunt trauma to the chest and abdomen, although the difference in ISS between elephant attacks and other wild mammal attacks was not statistically significant (p = 0.2).
Among the patients, 51.3% received wound suturing and dressing, while 29.7% required splint or cast application due to fractures or dislocations caused by the attack. More invasive procedures, such as chest tube insertions, were required for 16% of the victims, indicating the severity of injuries inflicted by large mammals like elephants. Notably, two patients required bilateral chest tubes, and 43.2% of victims were discharged after primary treatment, while 16.2% were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for closer monitoring and advanced care.
Snakebite patients typically required anti-snake venom treatment, with 95.9% of cases receiving this medication in the emergency department. Around 62.8% of these patients were discharged after treatment, 31.1% were admitted to the ward for further observation, and 3.2% were transferred to the ICU due to severe symptoms such as respiratory paralysis or organ failure. Blunt trauma was a defining feature of elephant attacks, while soft tissue injuries were more common in other mammals.
Conclusion
The study underscores the increasing public health threat posed by HWCs in Eastern India, particularly as human settlements continue to encroach on wildlife habitats. Elephants and snakes remain the primary causes of serious injuries in this region. Future efforts should focus on developing more effective prevention strategies, such as the use of barriers, early warning systems, and public education campaigns. Additionally, improving emergency preparedness and ensuring the availability of life-saving treatments like antivenoms will be crucial for mitigating the impact of these incidents.
Paper URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjtee.2021.09.004
