Abstract
Wildlife attacks on humans are an example of serious human–wildlife conflict. Such attacks are rarely studied in Asia and particularly not in Iran. A total of 53 wolf (Canis lupus) attacks were recorded on humans in the Hamedan province, a human-dominated landscape in west Iran, between April 2001 and April 2012. Most attacks were classified as predatory (68%) and pet-related (19%) in nature. The majority of victims were children (12 years old or younger; 62%). Most incidents (70%) took place during the wolf’s pup-rearing season. The most frequent human activities at time of attack were recreation based (57%). The locations of attacks occurred frequently in the farmlands (43%) and outskirts of villages (41%). We recommend that future wolf attacks could be reduced or prevented through modification of human behavior and public education designed to prevent the habituation of wolves.