When Leopards and Humans Meet
India Holds Conference on Managing Human-Leopard Conflict
Feb 14, 2007
In January 2007, a workshop was held in India to develop a national policy on dealing with Human-Leopard Conflict. While many species can be implicated in human-animal conflict, leopards (Panthera pardus) are considered the carnivore most in conflict with humans in India, largely because they can exist comfortably at the edge of human civilization. Methods of preventing conflict were discussed.
Reasons for Conflict Between Humans and Leopards
With serious depletion of wild prey, leopards turn to predating on livestock or even humans. Humans make the situation worse by cultivating crops such as sugar cane and tea near protected areas. These crops provide sheltering habitat for leopards as they disperse to find new territory.
Leopards are also known to shelter in buildings or sheds without people being aware they are present. They are usually discovered when they are seen leaving. So there can be a non-conflict relationship between the leopard and humans. But once it is know that there is a leopard present, people generally want the animal removed, even if no livestock is taken or humans are attacked
Often the offending animals are young males dispersing from their natal area. Translocation of the animal has been the method of choice, as leopard are listed as CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) Appendix 1 and Schedule 1 of India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. But recent studies have shown that translocation isn’t working. Leopards that were hard released (simply let free in a new area without being held in an acclimatization pen) went right back where they came from. And right back to feeding on livestock or attacking humans.
Alternatives Considered at the Human Leopard Conflict Conference
- Consolidation of protected area boundaries - Reducing the risks associated with human encroachment
- Leaving open space between the protected areas and local villages - If leopards can’t easily travel without being seen they are less likely to disperse in that direction
- Compensation programs for livestock loss - One study showed an average loss of 9% of annual income to leopards in a severely affected area.
- Training local people in improved livestock husbandry methods to prevent predation
- Educating local people on living safely with large predators nearby
- Identifying and killing problem individuals - This is the most controversial idea as Indian philosophical and religious beliefs are strongly against taking the lives of animals.
The lethal approach also may not be allowed under the Wildlife Protection Act unless the animal has become dangerous to human life. In each case the Chief Wildlife Officer must grant permission. And he must ensure that this is the only option left.
The final shape of the new Human-Leopard conflict policy is likely take some time in development. In the meantime, efforts to mitigate some of the damage caused by leopards and educate people living in areas where leopards exist will probably be the first steps taken.
Resources:
National workshop for formulating Human-Leopard conflict management policy, Compendium of articles
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