Modeling Disease Dynamics in a Prey–Predator System with Competition, Fear, and Cooperative Hunting

This study developed an eco-epidemiological model of a prey–predator system with three populations—susceptible prey, infected prey, and predator—to model the transmission of disease and contact epidemiology based on direct interactions between susceptible and infected prey. For the predictive modeling to be relevant, we developed a system and performed stability analysis at global and local scales to assess species persistence or extinction. We conducted bifurcation analysis to identify the optimal values of important parameters in which small modifications produced noticeable changes in the population dynamics. Under varying ecological and epidemiological elements, the simulation findings revealed population stability. Based on its effect on species survival and food chain dynamics, our results shed light on the function of cooperative hunting in preserving ecological equilibrium. We discuss how ecosystems are formed by disease and predator–prey interactions, offering data for wildlife management and conservation.