Human-leopard conflict on the rise due to declining prey population: Study

The team, which began the research in 2021 following major conflict between leopards and humans in Surat in 2020 and submitted the report last month, used camera trap survey and indirect sampling of the species as well as transit sampling after dividing the Surat district into grids. The five talukas of Mangrol, Mandvi, Bardoli, Umarpada and Mahua were included in the study. Of these, Mandvi had witnessed the highest number of conflicts and had a higher number of rescued leopards.

From the field research and the questionnaires handed out in the villages, Valodkar said the team has concluded that leopards have been venturing into human habitats, which have shrunken forests, in search of prey that is on the decline in the wild. “Leopards are territorial and adaptive. They do not restrict (prey) to a species, they can eat anything from a frog to a medium-sized mammal. However, we could not find mammals that it could feed on in the wild, for instance, rabbits that are easy to prey upon,” she said.

On studying the pattern of the conflicts, the research team concluded that the leopard—a nocturnal species—has been venturing into the human population in areas that are an “intermix” of forest and agricultural lands. The team has also concluded that the forests have shrunken as much of the area has turned into agricultural lands, especially with tall sugarcane crops.

“Surat has a huge yield of sugarcane as most of the sugar factories are located (there). The crop is tall and is a good cover for the leopards… We have recommended that the villagers should take precautions to avoid conflict…such as keeping livestock in a fenced enclosure where the leopards cannot easily enter. Also, the villagers are accustomed to sleeping outside at night, especially in the summer or in their fields to guard their crops… It is a mindset that will take time to change,” Valodkar said.

The department has also recommended that the forest department must discourage releasing rescued leopards in new areas. “Usually, rescued individuals (leopards) are released in new areas. As they are territorial, a new place can be intimidating. But since they are also adaptive, they try to find their way and it could lead to conflicts,” she said.