Survey of human-leopard (Panthera Pardus) conflict in Ayubia National Park, Pakistan

Abstract

Wildlife populations are at a risk of extinction mainly because of human-wildlife conflict (HWC). The present study was designed to evaluate the ongoing HWC with special reference to Common Leopard (Panthera pardus) in Ayubia National park through field study as well as a literature-based approach. Questionnaire interview surveys were designed for wildlife officials working in the park and the locals who bear the cost for leopard conflict through livestock depredation and crop damage. The study showed that human-leopard conflict in the study area has been increasing. More than 60% of people considered livestock depredation as the major reason for their negative perception towards the common leopard. Among livestock, goats were more vulnerable which showed that leopards mostly preferred smaller prey. A number of reported human injuries and deaths on account of Human-Leopard conflict in the study area helped conclude that human-wildlife conflict is a significant issue. Mitigation measures may hence be recommended, such as livestock compensation schemes and community-based conservation approaches, etc. It is critical to avoid human-Leopard conflict not only to keep the public and their property safe but also to help conserve this important species of common leopard (Panthera pardus).

Livestock Depredation by Large Carnivores and Human–Wildlife Conflict in Two Districts of Balochistan Province, Pakistan

“…This study investigated human-wildlife conflict arising from livestock depredation by carnivores in a region heavily reliant on natural resources. As expected, our findings align with previous research indicating that communities with a high dependence on livestock production tend to develop negative perceptions of predators due to predation events [39]. The residents of the present study area predominantly belong to the middle or lower socioeconomic classes, deriving their livelihoods primarily from farming and livestock-related activities.…”

“…Conversely, wolves seemed to target goats more frequently. These observations are consistent with the established notion that predators exhibit size-selective predation [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42]. Notably, most depredation events involved livestock grazing unguarded, highlighting the importance of active herding practices for mitigating predation [43].…”

Understanding the Dynamics of Human–Wildlife Conflicts in North-Western Pakistan: Implications for Sustainable Conservation

“…Like other parts of the world, issues concerning HWC also exist in Pakistan, yet are among the least documented [40]. Most of the studies published on HWC issues from Pakistan are mainly focused on the northern flanks of the country [32,40,[46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53], which are assumed to be the biodiversity hotspots and relatively less human-dominated landscapes [54]. We presume this focus on the northern flanks has kept the rest of Pakistan deprived of investigations on these particular and similar issues, harbouring potential habitats with rich biodiversity [55].…”

The human-wildlife conflict in Musk Deer National Park, Neelum Gureze Valley, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan.

“…Kabir et al (2014) recorded that sharing a common habitat of livestock and wild carnivores was a major cause of conflict between humans and carnivores in Machiara National Park. Awan et al (2020) reported the massive conflict of common leopards in Ayubia National Park with highly negative human perception about predator's conservation. Inskip and Zimmermann (2009) supported the opinion that an increase in wild prey can reduce livestock depredation by carnivores.…”