Why can declining prey populations lead to conflict between tigers and people?

Declining prey populations can lead to conflict between tigers and humans primarily because it forces tigers to seek alternative food sources. When their natural prey becomes scarce, tigers may increasingly target domestic livestock from human habitations to survive.12

This shift in hunting behavior often results in retribution from local communities, who may kill the tigers to protect their animals. Additionally, a general paucity of prey is one of the factors that can contribute to tigers becoming "man-eaters," as the animals struggle to meet their nutritional needs through traditional hunting methods. These conflicts are further exacerbated by the loss of habitat as human populations expand, which reduces the space and resources available for both tigers and their prey.21