English Translation:Against the backdrop of media reports talking of incessant increase in human-leopard conflict during the last few years, a year-long satellite study undertaken a few years ago had shed light on some surprising facts. The study showed that leopards stayed in the farmlands of Akole landscape in the Godavari basin throughout the day. They neither attacked anyone nor did humans have any idea of its presence during this time. It was observed that it is only when the night falls the leopards come out of their hiding place and prey on animals gorging at the garbage dump in surrounding villages. These findings, based on radio collaring of the leopards, have also busted a popular belief that most of the leopards live in forested areas.The high number of leopards in the landscape is directly disproportionate with the very few attacks happened on humans here. Thus, the picture painted of high incidence of human-leopard conflict is not realistic.Dr. Vidya Athreya from WCS – India has conducted an extensive study in this regard in Maharashtra. In this study, GPS collars were placed around the neck of leopards and their movements monitored using satellite tracking. The Ahmednagar district was the main study area.Offering more insights into the study, Dr. Vidya Athreya says that attacks on humans are rare and most often happen by accident. When provoked, a leopard tries to defend itself from a human and intimidates him with its paw. If it really wants to kill, all it would take is a minute. The study also makes it clear that if the garbage dumps are removed from the villages, the number of animals like dogs and pigs would drop, resulting in leopards looking elsewhere and not near human habitations.
Photo credits: Rujan Sarkar (Cover)