WILD AFFAIR: Reduced prey base and fragmented landscape send wild cats the urban way
Between November and December, in a span of 45 days at least three incidents of leopards entering urban areas were reported in Gujarat.
So what is bringing the wild cats in close proximity to humans? Those in the know said a number of factors are responsible for the leopards straying into heavily populated urban areas.
HS Singh, member National Board of Wildlife who also authored the book Leopards in the Changing Landscape said that a surge in leopard population, thanks to good conservation, is the first reason. "Moreover, as the population increased there has been a shortage of prey base in forest thanks to excessive grazing. Apart from Gir, other places don't have a good prey base," said Singh.
He also puts to rest the belief that leopards rarely venture into heavily populated urban areas. "I will not say that their venturing into such areas is common but it is definitely not uncommon and you can't call it a 'rare' incident. What is rare is humans detecting the presence of a leopard in their midst, " said the former Principal Chief Conservator of Forest.
"As the cats face food shortage they venture into urban areas where garbage is in abundance. This attracts dogs, pigs and even rodents which make for easy picking for the wildcat. They regularly visit such areas, hide in the ravines or tree cover or even pipes and venture out at night for food. Since they are extremely secretive most often we are not wiser to their presence in our midst but once in a while they get caught and we get worried," said Singh.
Kedar Gore, director, The Corbett Foundation, who has closely worked to mitigate human-animal conflict said that leopards are highly adaptable and can survive in forest, shrubland and even in agricultural fields. "This adaptability puts them in close proximity with humans more often than other carnivores. Moreover, since they live close to human-dominated landscapes their prey base often gets limited to stray dogs, livestock and in some cases human beings," said Gore.
He added that to some extent leopards straying into human settlements was also the flip side of the of successful conservation programmes. "When they are protected, the wild cats breed well. This means their numbers increase. Cats are territorial beings and each will set out to mark its own new territory. So at some point of time they will have to venture out of forest and start praying on livestock and such leading to conflict," said Gore.
Devesh Gadhvi, another conservationist said that habitat degradation and fragmentation is also an important issue that is often overlooked. "Habitat fragmentation is a particular problem. When leopards travel from one habitat to another it is not one long patch, it is, in fact, fragmented parts and in the fragments, we have human settlements so it is obvious there will be conflict," said Gadhvi.
Another expert who has closely observed the trend said one also needs to look at the prey base. "Overall what is the prey base in our sanctuaries where leopards are surviving. Nilgai, that lives on the peripheries of the forest, is on the rise but what about Chital and blackbucks and such. Animals are also opportunistic so when faced with a choice of hunting a nilgai that is available on the periphery or say attacking poultry or livestock it is obvious what the leopard will choose," said the expert.
LEOPARD SIGHTINGS CLOSE TO CITY
Nov 5: A leopard entered the secretariat in Gandhinagar leading to a near shutdown for several hours. The animal was captured after a 12-hour long search
Dec 7: the pugmarks of leopard and a cub were found close to Piplaj Village close to the Capital Gandhinagar leading to panic among the residents.
Dec 14: A leopard entered a courtroom in Chotila in Surendranagar district in broad daylight after being chased from an abandoned railway building close to the compound. The animals parked itself in a cupboard and were tranquilised after at least six hours of the search operation.
NUMBERS YOU CAN USE
1395: Estimated number of leopards in Gujarat
1170: Number of leopards in state in the 2011 estimation
400+: Number of leopards that have been trapped in and around villages and released
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