What factor can lead to increased human-wildlife conflict in urban areas?

Higher population density of people is a significant factor that can lead to increased human-wildlife conflict in urban areas. As human populations grow and more people move into urban environments, they tend to encroach on wildlife habitats. This overlap creates more opportunities for encounters between humans and wildlife, as animals search for food or shelter in areas that are now populated by people.

In urban settings, a higher density of people often leads to an increase in waste and food sources that attract wildlife, such as raccoons, deer, and coyotes. These animals become habituated to human presence, which can result in them foraging closer to homes, parks, and other human-dominated areas, thus raising the likelihood of conflicts such as property damage or aggressive encounters.

The other factors listed do not contribute to an increase in human-wildlife conflict in urban areas in the same direct way. For example, decreased wildlife populations would generally result in fewer encounters, while stricter wildlife protection laws could impose measures that discourage this conflict. Improved wildlife habitats may lead to healthier populations of wildlife, but within urban areas, the underlying issue of human density is what drives conflicts.