Research Article:  Kshettry, A., Vaidyanathan, S., & Athreya, V. (2018). Diet selection of leopards (Panthera pardus) in a human-use landscape in North-Eastern India. Tropical Conservation Science, 11, 1940082918764635.

Blog Author: Aishwarya Anilkumar

Key highlights:

  • Leopards utilize wild and domestic prey proportionally, with livestock making up 80% of their diet.
  • The study area, Jalpaiguri District in West Bengal, India, spanning 408 km², is characterized by small patches of protected forests interspersed with tea estates and human settlements and faces high human pressure with 700 people/km².
  • The study found that the leopards predated upon Rhesus macaques more than their availability, despite macaques contributing minimally to the diet biomass.
  • Predator-proof enclosures and livestock insurance schemes are recommended to reduce human-wildlife conflict.
  • The research emphasizes collaborative efforts as an essential aspect of sustainable coexistence and effective leopard conservation.

 

Understanding prey-predator dynamics is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies in areas where wildlife and human activities overlap. Leopards, facing significant threats from habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict, require urgent conservation strategies to ensure their survival. This research conducted by eminent scientists examines leopard diets and prey selection, revealing their adaptability in human-dominated landscapes. The study was conducted in the Jalpaiguri District of West Bengal, India, spanning an area of 408 km², which is characterized by small patches of protected forests interspersed with tea estates and human settlements. This region, historically dominated by moist deciduous forests, has undergone significant transformation due to colonial-era tea plantation development, resulting in a high human population density of 700 people per km².

The study employed a comprehensive methodology to assess the diet selection of leopards (Panthera pardus) in a human-use landscape in northeastern India. Researchers conducted field surveys collecting scat samples from leopards between November 2013 and March 2014, and analyzed these samples for prey remains using established identification techniques. Additionally, prey availability was estimated by calculating the densities of wild and domestic animals. At the same time, diet selectivity was evaluated by comparing the frequency of prey types found in scats to their availability in the environment, utilizing statistical models to ensure robust data analysis.

The study found that leopards utilized both wild and domestic prey in proportion to their availability, showing no significant selectivity for either type. Rhesus macaques were predated upon more than their proportional availability, despite their low biomass in the diet. Overall, domestic livestock constituted a high percentage (80%) of the leopard’s diet, yet the leopards did not exhibit selectivity towards specific livestock species like cattle or goats.

The study suggests that implementing predator-proof enclosures and livestock insurance schemes could mitigate losses faced by residents, fostering a more harmonious relationship between humans and leopards. The research emphasizes the need for targeted conservation efforts to ensure the survival of leopards in human-dominated landscapes. By focusing on proactive measures and collaborative strategies, we can create a future where leopards thrive alongside local communities.

The study serves as a vital resource for policymakers and conservationists, highlighting the urgency of action to preserve these majestic creatures. The research underscores the importance of understanding leopard ecology and human-leopard interactions to address conservation conflicts. By identifying key prey species and their availability, the study advocates collaborative efforts between conservationists, local communities, and governments to enhance law enforcement and implement sustainable livestock management practices.

You can access the original article here!

 

Keywords: human-dominated landscapes, human–wildlife conflict, livestock, prey-selection, feeding ecology