Taming Animal Instinct

A new study on leopards is set to reduce the man-animal conflict and change the manner in which it is handled

Leopards in Maharashtra have long been the object of loathing, given their tendency to drift to human habitation. In their frequent encounters with people, the beasts have invariably lost8212;either their lives or their territorial rights. So when wildlife biologist Vidya Athreya and veterinarian Aniruddha V. Belsare undertook a project to understand and minimise the leopard-human conflict, it marked a turning point. Four years on, their study on leopards has helped create a better understanding about the animal and is set to change the manner in which this conflict is handled by the state Forest Department.

8220;This is the first study of leopard-related conflicts in the state and the findings are based on actual data collected,8221; says B. Majumdar, chief wildlife warden, Maharashtra. 8220;It has added clarity to our understanding of the problem and has offered a scientifically accepted framework for handling it. Key issues like causes of aberrant behaviour, the need for trapping and release did not have a sound basis before the study. There has been a paradigm shift in our conception of the problem and the approach to handling it.8221;

8220;Like snakes, leopards have always lived near human habitation. The older generations were more aware of their presence, but never panicked. Now, even a leopard sighting creates a furore,8221; says Athreya who, along with Belsare, began a training programme for the five wild carnivore rescue teams WCRT that were formed in the state following an increase in the leopard-man conflict after 2001. The crux of the training has been to teach them how to deal with emergency situations, make the rescue operations more efficient by using modern tranquilising techniques and treating an injured animal.

8220;Leopards don8217;t prey on humans. Their food comprises pigs, dogs and feathered animals, and they live in areas inhabited by man because of these animals. It8217;s the perception of leopard as a man-eating predator that leads to the knee-jerk reactions. This is reason that they are often trapped and released in faraway forests,8221; says Athreya.

But, according to the duo, the leopards are highly territorial. So they don8217;t stay where they are released and usually try to come back. In fact, many leopards sighted in sugarcane fields could be on their way back. Also the capture does nothing to lessen their population because as soon as the area is rendered vacant, younger leopards on the prowl for a territory of their own, move in to occupy it. 8220;In fact, studies have shown that the population and conflicts at such sites have increased after leopard trappings,8221; says Belsare.

Based on this understanding, the two have devised guidelines see box on leopard presence and the subsequent action to be taken. The guidelines have also been published in the form of a booklet at the behest of Majumdar and have become a field manual of sorts for the forest staff since 2004. In fact, after a presentation to other states at a workshop in Delhi in January, Uttarakhand, Assam, Gujarat, Maharashtra, J038;K and Himachal Pradesh have requested copies of the manual.

While the guidelines have helped improve rescue management by WCRT8212;a leopard rescued from Gangapur area by the Nashik team on August 17, 2004 was succesfuly tranquilised and moved to the rescue centre at Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai8212;effort is on to improve awareness among villagers. While the complexities of the problem have been explained to villagers in Nashik and Ratnagiri, another session will be held in July in Ahmednagar.

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8220;Leopards are really scared of humans and when people come close to a trapped animal there is no knowing how it will behave after it has been released,8221; says Athreya, adding that though the leopard-human conflict is a worldwide problem, the traditional tolerance among Indians, especially in the rural area, has allowed leopards to live near humans, and it is this trait that needs to be nurtured.

But as Majumdar says, some issues need sorting out, like pressure from the public, media and adminstration to trap a leopard as soon as it8217;s sighted in a populated area. So the recommendation to reduce trappings and release in nearby forests becomes difficult to implement.

Sunanda Mehta

Sunanda Mehta is the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Pune. She is a distinguished journalist, columnist, and author with over three decades of experience in the media industry. Educational background: A merit-lister in her 12 th in CBSE (5th rank in Humanities) Sunanda stood first in History in the Board for which she was awarded the Dr Tarachand Gold Medal. She is a triple-graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (History Honours) from Lady Shri Ram College, New Delhi, Bachelor of Education, Delhi University (on scholarship) and Bachelor of Communication and Journalism, University of Pune. Professional Background Role: As Resident Editor, she oversees the Pune edition of The Indian Express, managing local news coverage, investigative features, and editorial direction for the city. Author: She is an accomplished author, known for her biographies. Her notable books include: The Extraordinary Life and Death of Sunanda Pushkar published by Pan Macmillan (2019). The book was long-listed for the Atta Galatta award for nonfiction and Auther award for best debut author. Majestic Musings - Translation of poems from 100 year old Badshaian from Punjabi to English (2023) Behind the Big Screen- the untold stories of child actors published by Bloomsbury India (2024) Focus Areas: While Sunanda has reported on various subjects from civic to political to investigative and crime, her forte remains long-form human-interest stories, heritage and gender issues. Core Column: "Against All Odds" Sunanda curates and writes a signature series titled "Against All Odds," which profiles individuals who have overcome significant personal, medical, or professional challenges. Recent notable articles (2025) The Story of Dr. Harinder Dhaliwal (July 2025): A Pune AFMC topper who became a neurologist in Canada despite becoming paraplegic. Jayoo Patwardhan’s Cancer Journey (Jan 2025): How the National Film Award-winning designer defeated cancer. Partha Iyengar’s Emergency mid-air (Aug 2025): The story of how Gartner’s India head survived a massive heart attack during a long-haul flight. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage continues to explore deep personal narratives and Pune’s socio-environmental landscape: 1. Personal Narratives & Closure "'I grieved for him 10 years after his murder, found closure to unsolved case'" (Dec 14, 2025): A poignant feature on Vineet Alurkar, son of the late Pune music legend Suresh Alurkar, and how digitizing his father’s collection helped him heal. "A 40-day journey home: how Christopher Benninger's partner gave him the gift of memories" (Nov 23, 2025): A moving tribute to the late acclaimed architect Christopher Benninger and his final trip to the US. "'After 38 years I finally met my biological mother'" (Sept 28, 2025): Chronicling the journey of an adopted daughter from Zurich searching for her roots in Pune. 2. Civic & Heritage "'Vetal Tekdi belongs to common citizens'" (Oct 20, 2025): An interview with environmental activist Dr. Sushma Date on the community-led protection of Pune’s vital green lungs. "'Military village' Apshinge recalls living through war days" (Aug 12, 2025): A report from a village in Maharashtra where nearly every household has a member in the armed forces, focusing on their legacy and current anxieties. 3. High-Profile Commentary & Investigations "Malegaon blast acquittals: 'I was expecting this verdict'" (July 31, 2025): An interview with former special public prosecutor Rohini Salian following the controversial acquittals. "Grounded, license cancelled... she decided to soar higher" (March 30, 2025): The story of Dr. Harpreet A De Singh, Air India’s first woman pilot from 1988, and her transition to leadership and meditation. Signature Style Sunanda Mehta is known for her empathetic storytelling. Unlike standard news reporting, her features often read like narrative non-fiction, focusing on the psychological and emotional resilience of her subjects. One of her articles in The Indian Express titled 'The Quality of Mercy' was converted into a film Rubaru Roshini produced by actor Aamir Khan. She is a strong advocate for Pune's heritage and environment, frequently using her platform to amplify citizen-led movements. X (Twitter): @sunandamehta and @ExpressPune ... Read More