ePrints@IIScePrints@IISc Home | About | Browse | Latest Additions | Advanced Search | Contact | Help

The impact of leopards (Panthera pardus) on livestock losses and human injuries in a human-use landscape in Maharashtra, India

Athreya, V and Isvaran, K and Odden, M and Linnell, JDC and Kshettry, A and Krishnaswamy, J and Karanth, UK (2020) The impact of leopards (Panthera pardus) on livestock losses and human injuries in a human-use landscape in Maharashtra, India. In: PeerJ, 2020 (3).

[img]
Preview
PDF
pee_08_2020.pdf - Published Version

Download (505kB) | Preview
Official URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.8405

Abstract

There are many ways in which large carnivores and humans interact in shared spaces. In this study we provide insights into human-leopard relationships in an entirely modified, human-dominated landscape inhabited by dense populations of humans (266 perkm2), their livestock (162 per km2) and relatively high densities of large predators (10 per 100 km2). No human deaths were recorded, and livestock losses to leopards numbered only 0.45 per km22 per year (averaged over three years) despite the almost complete dependency of leopards on domestic animals as prey. Predation was not the major cause of livestock mortality as diseases and natural causes caused higher losses (80 of self-reported losses). We also found that ineffective night time livestock protection and the presence of domestic dogs increased the probability of a farmer facing leopard attacks on livestock. Resident farmers faced much lower livestock losses to leopard predation in contrast to the migratory shepherds who reported much higher losses, but rarely availed of the government compensation schemes. We recommend that local wildlife managers continue to shift from reactive measures such as leopard captures after livestock attacks to proactive measures such as focusing on effective livestock protection and informing the affected communities about safety measures to be taken where leopards occur in rural landscapes. The natural causes of livestock deaths due do diseases may be better prevented by involving animal husbandry department for timely vaccinations and treatment. © 2020 Athreya et al.

Item Type: Journal Article
Publication: PeerJ
Publisher: PEERJ INC
Additional Information: The copyright of this article belongs to PEERJ INC
Department/Centre: Division of Biological Sciences > Centre for Ecological Sciences
Date Deposited: 11 Aug 2020 06:29
Last Modified: 11 Aug 2020 06:37
URI: http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/65320

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item