Abstract:
Human-wildlife conflict is harmfully affecting the wellbeing of both people
and animals. Human – peacock conflict in the wet zone of Sri Lanka is
increasing at present and yet the information on this conflict is limited.
Therefore, the main aim of this study was to investigate the spatial
concentration of peacock habitats and the areas where impairment created by
peacock species. Matara Divisional secretariat Division in Matara district was
selected as the study area. A field survey has been carried out to identify the
absolute locations (latitudes and longitudes) of peacock habitats and the
affected areas. A handheld Garmin e Trex 10 GPS recorder was used to record
the geographic coordinates of the locations. A total of 849 locations were
recorded, including 511 peacock habitats and 338 effected areas by the
peacock. Kernel Density estimation was used as the main tool for hot spot
identification. Two separate estimations were carried out to identify
concentrations of habitats and affected areas. The analysis of data was
accomplished, through the integrated use of Arc GIS 10.1 software packages
along with Microsoft Excel analytical tool. Maps and graphs have been
prepared in visualizing the results of the analysis. The results reviled that the
peacock habitats and effected areas were in two different locations. Peacock
habitats were widely spared in areas where tree species occur like Albesiya,
Attoniya, and Hora. Further tea lands also identified as where peacocks prefer
to stay. The bird stays those places between 6.30 pm to 7.30 am of the
following day. The affected areas depend on the food availability for
peacocks. The birds used to be at those locations from 7.30 am to 6.30 pm
Lack of predators for peacock, not destroying the eggs, lack of layers of plants
due to crop cultivation, snakes in farm oil plantations are the most common
pull factors for peacocks to come to the villages.
