Human-Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) Co-Existence in Jhalana Forest Reserve, India

Swapnil Kumbhojkar,Reuven Yosef,Federico Morelli,Yanina Benedetti

doi:10.3390/su11143912

Abstract

The intensity and frequency of human-animal conflicts has escalated in recent decades due to the exponential increase in the human population over the past century and the subsequent encroachment of human activities on wilderness areas. Jhalana Forest Reserve (JFR) presents the characteristics of island biogeography in the heart of Jaipur, which is a city of 3.1 million people. The leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) is the top predator in this newly declared sanctuary of 29 km². We surveyed people in the 18 villages that engulf this sanctuary. We questioned the villagers’ (n = 480) perceptions about conservation. As much as 93% (round figure) of the population has encountered leopards, and 83% were fully aware of its role in the ecosystem. In addition, 100% stressed the necessity of conservation to save the forests and 91% supported the efforts to a wall in the reserve in order to prevent human encroachment. Most of the population is Jains and Gujars, which are communities that believe in non-violence. We conclude that the villagers support conservation efforts. The authorities that manage JFR view the villagers favorably and, as stakeholders, are the basis for continued human-leopard coexistence.

Highlights

Introduction & Literature Review top predators are very charismatic animals in human perspective [1], they can be identified as pests or vermin
In order to understand the co-existence between leopards and humans we found at Jhalana Forest Reserve (JFR), we questioned the reasons for its persistence and the related attitudes of the villagers and urban citizens who regularly came into contact with the leopards
We questioned the apparent coexistence at Jhalana and hypothesized that the villagers, due to their relatively low level of education, poor financial status, and occasional property loss, will have feelings of animosity and, expected a negative response toward the conservation of this meso-predator

Summary

Introduction

Introduction & Literature Review top predators are very charismatic animals in human perspective [1], they can be identified as pests or vermin. Carnivore populations have suffered habitat loss and fragmentation, and reduced prey availability, which has resulted in elevated rates of conflicts with humans [2]. Human-animal conflict is considered to have a social dimension and reflected conceptions of boundary crossing and human-animal conflict is often described in utilitarian or anthropocentric terms [7]. Others considered such conflicts to be the result of socio-economic and political landscapes, which have emerged because of competition for limited resources [8]. Since large predators require large areas with natural prey communities, they are prone to killing domestic livestock (Woodroffe 2000), which causes humans to retaliate in human-animal conflict [10]

Objectives

Results

Conclusion