Livestock depredation by leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) in Vansda Taluka, South Gujarat

Abstract

Human-wildlife conflict is of growing concern because it threatens the survival of many wildlife species. This is especially true in case of large felids, most of which are threatened primarily due to anthropogenic causes, with conflict accounting for the highest mortality. Due to the increase in number of leopard and reduction of land area, the human-leopard conflict has increased, though the direct human interference with leopard is not seen but indirect use of the land and reduction of the natural prey to leopard and decreased prey base drastically have increased the indirect conflict with humans in many forms and the major one is the livestock depredation. In this study, we attempt to elucidate the ecological and social factors that drive such conflict in agricultural landscape in Vansda taluka of South Gujarat. We report an average 21.8 incidents of livestock depredation a year by the leopard. The depredation of Goats 43.12%, poultry 27.06 and Cow 19.72% formed the frequently attacked livestock and amongst the regions, the highest number of attacks (n=62) were in North zone followed by the Central zone (n=26) of Vansda taluka. Leopard's highest attack on livestock near sugarcane field was recorded during early morning (49.59%) followed by late evening (28.46%). The study revealed that a total of 50.46% attacks were in the evening, 80.20% infants of livestock were attacked and 75.63% attacks were when livestock is tied in the shed. The useful recommendations were concluded out of the study for forest department, local NGOs and farmers/villagers of the study area.