The Leopard (Panthera pardus -Linnaeus, 1758) ,once found to be widely distributed in Asia and Africa are facing various threats amidst declining numbers. The carnivore is classified as ‘vulnerable’ according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020. It is also listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Leopards live in a variety of habitats from semi-arid deserts to rainforests to savanna grasslands and tropical forests. Similarly they can consume a variety of diets ranging from insects, reptiles, birds and small mammals up to large ungulates. Currently, the population of these big cats in India ( subspecies Panthera pardus fusca) estimated to be around 13000 (NTCA 2018)
So why is the leopard in danger?
The threats to leopards are mainly anthropogenic. There is evidence that, leopard populations have declined dramatically due to population growth, habitat fragmentation, increased illegal wildlife trade, the loss of prey and trophy hunting Across North, East and West Africa, the Middle East and East and South-East Asia, leopards are facing significant threats and regional extinctions due to the above mentioned factors.
Habitat fragmentation and Poaching are two biggest threats
Recent meta-analyses of leopard status and distribution suggest 48–67% range loss for the species in Africa and 83–87% in Asia (Jacobson et al. 2016).The human population increased by 2.57% per year between 1994 and 2014 (UN 2014), and the conversion of potential leopard habitat to agricultural areas increased by 57% between 1975 and 2000 (Brink and Eva 2009).
Conversion of forest land into palm oil and rubber plantations has increased in South east Asia and have further augmented the habitat loss.
In an attempt to feed the ever growing human population, forest habitats are being converted into farmlands. Farmers often blame leopards for loss of their livestock and often resort to retaliatory killings. Attempts to poison the carcass, use of snares, traps, electrocution are carried out to kill these predators.
Trophy Hunting is not helping the case of leopards
Trophy hunting is still legal in parts of Africa which has a negative impact on the density of big cats. Though there are laws pertaining to the age and sex of the leopards to be hunted for trophy many leopards are hunted outside protected areas. Captive breeding of big carnivores in private ranches also leads to a decrease in the number of prey animals for those leopards who are still in the wild.
Illegal hunting or poaching is also common in Africa and Asia. The skin and other body parts fetch a high price at international wildlife markets which make these animals susceptible to poaching. The skin of leopards are used by tribesmen in Africa and is also displayed as wall decor in many countries.
In one year 2020, in India around 23 dead bodies of leopards were found minus the skin and the claws. On further examination, trap marks and wound marks were also found on the bodies which signified unnatural cause of death.
It is well known that predator density depends on prey density (Carbone & Gittleman 2002, Karanth et al. 2004). Wild dogs kill prey and compete with large carnivores for food. Several studies show that eating habits have changed over the years. Feral dogs, pigs and goats have become the main prey for leopards living outside protected areas in India (Athreya et al., 2004).
Human-Leopard conflict has become more intense than ever
The rapid expansion of urban areas worldwide has been markedly increasing the frequency of encounters humans have with wildlife and large carnivores such as leopards being no exception. Especially in densely populated countries of Asia, where half of the world’s population reside, sometimes in close proximity to wildlife reserves, there is an intense competition over natural resources.
When there are incidents of large cats such as tigers and leopards injuring or killing humans, it evokes public outrage which obstructs conservation efforts. In India,recent media reports implicate the leopard as the most common carnivore in man – carnivore conflict. The major hotspots of man- leopard conflict in India are Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Due to habitat fragmentation, protected areas are unable to contain leopards, who have extensive home ranges and are likely to stray out. As a result they come in contact with human dominated landscapes and are prone to increased interactions with humans. Crops such as sugar cane, tea plantations and other tall crops are involved in providing an “ideal” habitat for the leopard, allowing it to wander at close proximity to humans.
Patterns of Human-Leopard Conflict
A study by Mizutani (1999) in Kenya found that losses due to leopard attacks on livestock differed in ranches devoid of wild prey compared to ranches with wild prey. It was also recommended that presence of a wild prey was a good strategy for reducing livestock predation.
A socio economic survey conducted in Junnar district of Maharashtra by Jhamvar-Shingote & Michael A. Schuett in 2013 showed both positive and negative opinions harbored by humans regarding the leopard. Some people who lived with the predator have become accustomed to the need for coexistence whilst people who had encountered livestock losses and personal attacks or mere sightings of the animal live in fear and prefer the big cat to be relocated away from their residence.
A study conducted by Naha D et al in Pauri Garhwal district in Uttarakhand highlights the negative perception of humans towards leopards.A total of 121 leopards were killed in this district either in retaliation by local communities or declared as man-eaters and shot with a range of 2–16 per year between 1990- 2005. Around 350 attacks of leopards were recorded in this period. The authors conducted a similar study in tea estates of North Bengal which showed a lesser number of leopard attacks or deaths.
They concluded leopard attacks are driven by many socio- ecological factors.
Given the close proximity with humans, an odd leopard may fall into a well, get trapped in wires, stray into an empty cattle shed, prey on livestock or may accidentally attack a human being. In the worst case it may get habitual to prey on cattle or humans. Such leopards are referred to as ‘man eaters’ in earlier days or ‘problem animals’ nowadays.
The Thing about “Problem Leopards”
Why do tigers, lions or leopards suddenly become man-eaters? Many behavioral studies have evolved around this question although there is no definitive answer.
There was a fearsome leopard that operated over a large territory of Garhwal from 1918 to 1926 who was known to have killed at least 125 humans ( or probably more). He was ultimately hunted by Jim Corbett and immortalized in his book ‘The Man-Eating Leopard of Rudraprayag’
Researchers and conservationists have churned out various reasons from shrinking habitats to easy accessibility to prey for the leopards. Big cats preying on domestic livestock often find it easy to hunt them. Humans on other hand could be accidental or deliberate victims.
In her book ‘Crooked Cats’– wildlife conservationist Nayanika Mathur has explored this question in detail through numerous interviews with victims, researchers and people living near the territory of big cats.
She further states “Corbett, too, has argued that in the 1920s Himalayas there was a surge in man eating leopards, due to the non cremation of dead bodies after a cholera pandemic.” Dead bodies of those succumbing to cholera were dumped in nearby forests and leopards might have become accustomed to human flesh.
Leopards targeting livestock and humans often find themselves at the center of man-animal conflict and vulnerable to retaliatory killing. A management plan should be established for proper handling of these leopards and strict implementation should be closely monitored at the range office level. Such plans should balance both sides, threats and financial losses people face from predatory leopards and the endangered status of these animals.. Captive leopards not involved in human attacks should be released immediately before trespassers invade their territory.
Lack of Studies also an issue
Inadequate ecological information on Indian leopards along with social and political pressure often complicate the management of problem animals. Telemetric studies are essential for understanding the lifestyle of these secretive animals. It is essential to identify individual animals in conflict areas and areas which have potential for conflict. The Forest Departments must be in a position to identify if a trapped animal has had a history of livestock or human attacks.
However, this will require regular monitoring of the leopard population which can be done by DNA analysis of scats and leopard hair/tissue obtained from the site of attack. This is time consuming and in countries like India, requires a great deal of bureaucratic Intervention. Such cases are solved quickly by capturing and translocating the problem animal.
Political Interference as usual is problematic
Politicians and Bureaucrats often decide the fate of such captured animals. A letter from angry locals, a mob attack from locals on the forest department can quickly spin wheels into action before conservationists can confirm the identity of the animal. Social media often churns out fake messages which can influence the decision makers to act rapidly.
In one such example, an increased political interference had managed to win a hunting license from the Maharashtra government, which allowed known hunters from the official government certified board to be called on to try to capture a problem leopard.
Do translocations of problematic animals actually work?
Translocation is a process that involves capturing a perceived “problem animal” alive in the area of conflict and transporting it to another area where the animal is duly released. Often the captured animal lays in captivity throughout its entire life or if released in wild, again restores to preying upon livestock.
A problem leopard captured in Gujarat was translocated 30 km away and fitted with a radio collar. It was found to immediately return to its earlier territory and resume livestock depredation. Nevertheless, this practice still continues.
An important study was undertaken in Mumbai in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, (Athreya et al 2014) claims that the large peak of leopard attacks during 2002– 2004 was a direct outcome of the large-scale capture and release of leopards in and around this area.
Translocation of big cats for any reason involves trapping and caging which is a traumatic experience for these animals. As described by Naynika Mathur in her book, ‘Crooked Cats’ “The rough trapping experience, poor transportation facilities, and abysmal conditions of the cages in most of the rescue centers lead to injury, stress, and the deterioration of the animal’s health prior to its release” She also further explains how this hidden bureaucratic maneuvering is one stop solution for all ‘problem animals’ in India.
She further describes how during the legislative assembly elections in Uttarakhand in 2012, many leopards were captured and taken away from bigger towns so that the incumbent political party would not be blamed for such sightings. “Sighting these big cats in a town or other such spaces that are considered non beastly is widely considered a damning failure of governance.”
Example of Human- Leopard co-existence in Mumbai
The city of Mumbai has sprawled across the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), a protected forest area that continues to exist as a piece of paradise for wildlife, surrounded by the bustling growth of a megacity.
Over the past few decades, parts of SGNP and its surroundings have been diverted for different developmental projects. This has resulted in habitat fragmentation.
With the spread of human settlement along the margin of the forest area, there has not only been a rise in the number of people but also in domestic animals such as cats, dogs, and pigs, which are easy prey to the leopards ( Subramanian 2018). The improper disposal of waste around many human settlements attracts feral pigs and dogs, which make for easy prey for leopards.
According to a study conducted in 2018, there are 47 adult leopards and 8 cubs in SGNP (Ghai 2020).
Conclusion
However very few cases of conflict are reported from this area. The tribal living inside the park and those living outside have adapted themselves to live with the predators. A chance stroll in the late evening in this area, one can hear the roar of leopards intermingling with noises of loud T.V ‘s, loud chatter and busy hustling of human activities. The forest department conducts education and awareness programmers from time to time in this area. Effective garbage management and cleanliness has kept feral animals off the garbage dump which has lead to decrease in chances of leopards straying close to attack domestic animals.
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Written by: Dr. Nupur Sawant