Responses of leopard Panthera pardus to the recovery of a tiger Panthera tigris population

Abstract

Summary1. Several conservation initiatives are aiming to improve the status of the rapidly dwindling populations of tiger Panthera tigris. However, possible cascading effects of intra-guild competition on other sympatric carnivores are rarely considered while planning such recovery programmes. 2. In this study, we examine how, following the reduction of anthropogenic pressures by relocation of pastoralists, a recovering tiger population affects leopards Panthera pardus in the Chilla Range of Rajaji National Park (RNP), India. By combining data gathered over 4 years (2004-2005 to 2007-2008) on prey availability, food habits and population density of the two predators, we investigate some of the mechanisms of niche partitioning. 3. Based on existing information, we predicted that there would be high dietary overlap between the two predators. Over time, optimal habitats would be dominated by tigers forcing leopards to the periphery of the protected area where they would subsist on small prey and domestic livestock. Consequently, leopards would occur at a lower density where sympatric with tigers. 4. Our results confirmed that annual dietary overlap (0AE89, 0AE82, 0AE78, 0AE77) between the two predators was high during the study. As expected, we observed a shift in the diet of leopards towards a significantly higher intake of domestic prey ($6AE8% to $31AE8%) and small prey ($9% to $36%). 5. Synthesis and applications. Although based on small sample sizes, our study revealed that over the 4 years following the relocation of pastoralists out of RNP, the tiger population recovered but leopard densities declined sharply. The concurrent shift in leopard diet indicated heightened livestock depredation from the surrounding area. Therefore, it is important that conservation initiatives targeting the recovery of tigers should be preceded by careful examination of interspecific interactions with sympatric carnivores. Comprehensive human-carnivore conflict management measures like monitoring the extent of livestock depredation, improving livestock management and providing adequate compensation and ⁄ or insurance schemes are critical for successfully implementing such conservation efforts.

Spatio-temporal interactions facilitate large carnivore sympatry across a resource gradient

“…Such anthropogenic impacts can include land-use changes and economic development increasing the insularity of nature reserves and carnivore communities [25,26,47], human predation on ungulate prey species [48], reduction of wild prey by competing domestic livestock, and modification of habitats through fires or manipulation of vegetation and water resources. On the other hand, exclusive management focus on flagship predators [25] could negatively impact subordinate predator populations [49]. These anthropogenic impacts may aggravate or alleviate competitive interactions among carnivores [12,50].…”

Mammalian fauna of Rajaji National Park, India: a review on ecological observations and checklist

“…Despite the fact that RNP is biologically rich, little has been done on the distribution and status of species in the park. In contrast, several studies were conducted on the ecology of Asian elephants and tigers in the area (Johnsingh and Williams 1999;Johnsingh and Negi 2003;Johnsingh 2006a;Joshi and Singh 2007;Harihar et al 2009;Joshi and Singh 2010;Harihar et al 2011;Joshi 2015). Because some parts of the RNP are still unexplored, the altitudinal distributions of some species, except some large carnivores and elephants, are not well known.…”

“…Abundance of Panthera tigris (Tiger) was recorded from Motichur, Chilla and Gohri forests. Though there were reports of Tiger present in the entire southwestern part of RNP (in Beribara and Dholkhand forests), this species is disappearing rapidly from the western part, where it apparently occurred until a decade ago (Johnsingh and Negi 2003;Johnsingh 2006a;Harihar et al 2009;Harihar et al 2011).…”

Abundance of Large Carnivore and its Prey Species after Removal of Cattle Grazing in Mundanthurai Plateau of Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu, India

“…Given a chance of tiger establishing its territory, further study would be requiring to understand the intraguild competition between these two predators. If tiger forces leopard to periphery [29], there might be a chance for human leopard conflict in the fringe villages.…”