Panthera Pardus Fusca Research Articles

Rosettes in a matrix: Predicting spatial variation in density of a large felid in a forest‐production mosaic

AbstractLarge carnivores are keystone for ecosystems and flagships for conservation efforts but face severe threats globally. Protected areas are vital for the conservation of these charismatic species along with a host of ecological processes. However, the extent and scope of protected areas for conservation of all threatened species is limited, especially in the global south. Considering larger landscapes that can be compatible with large carnivore conservation goals is an alternative approach to ensure their persistence. This study explores the potential of multi‐use landscapes for the persistence of a globally threatened large felid, the Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca). This study investigated the spatial variability of leopard densities across a land‐use gradient using spatially explicit capture‐recapture framework in a tea‐plantation‐dominated forest‐production landscape mosaic in the Duars region of northeastern India. While the density of leopards in this landscape was estimated to be 7.96 ± 1.56 (SE) per 100 km2, significant (p = .048, t = 2.02, df=61) differences in estimates were observed between tea‐plantations (11.53 ± 2.72 (SE) leopards per 100 km2) and the forested habitats (4.67 ± 2.07 (SE) per 100 km2). Densities between tea plantations and protected areas (a subset of the forested habitat) were found to be comparable (9.19 ± 4.55 (SE) per 100 km2). The study posits that conservation‐compatible land use in landscapes shared with people can host a higher density of adaptable large felids like leopard than forested areas and that conservation planning needs to move beyond the dominant PA‐centric paradigm. The study also reinforces the importance of multi‐use landscapes for wildlife conservation, especially for an adaptable large felid.

Avian and Mammalian Diversity and Abundance in Jhalana Reserve Forest, Jaipur, India.

We utilized camera traps to evaluate animal diversity, relative abundance, and the extent of anthropogenic activities in the Jhalana Reserve Forest (JRF), located in Jaipur, with a population of 3.9 million people. Between November 2017 and November 2019, camera traps were strategically deployed in the tourist zone and peripheral areas, capturing 16,328 photos. This study represents the first comprehensive baseline assessment of animal diversity in the JRF, documenting 39 species, including 18 bird species, 14 mammals, and 6 domestic species, alongside human activity. Among the 14 mammal species, 7 were carnivores. Notably, we identified 25 individual Indian leopards (Panthera pardus fusca) during 2017-2018, comprising 8 males and 17 females, highlighting the leopard as the apex predator in the JRF. Concurrently, domestic animals accompanied by humans were observed within the JRF. However, rigorous conservation efforts and patrols by the Rajasthan Forest Department resulted in a notable decline in human activity, from 28.04% in 2017-2018 to 3.92% in 2018-2019, with domestic animal activity reaching zero in the latter period. Consequently, the relative abundance of wildlife species increased during the study period of 2018-2019, underscoring the positive impact of conservation strategies implemented by authorities. Our findings establish that camera-trapping methodology collates definitive baseline data, assesses mammal diversity, and evaluates relative abundance in reserve forests within human-dominated landscapes. We strongly recommend a further study to assess the avifauna diversity. This study provides critical insights to inform the development and implementation of conservation strategies in similar protected areas.

Identifying Priority Areas for the Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) Within a Shared Landscape.

Habitat loss is one of the primary drivers of large felid decline. The leopard (Panthera pardus), a generalist large felid species, has the behavioural and dietary flexibility to exploit different habitat types of varying human influence. Understanding habitat selection in a shared landscape is critical for the development of conservation strategies and managing negative human-leopard interactions. The development of conservation policy requires data on large spatial scales, which is mostly lacking, especially within shared landscapes in India. This study aims to determine habitat selection by Indian leopards and the anthropogenic, environmental, and climatic variables contributing to this selection. Leopard occurrence records were obtained from an occupancy survey conducted in the five administrative districts in Karnataka (28,375 km2). 267 randomly selected 30 km2 grids were each walked for 10 km and all leopard signs were recorded. Environment variables were chosen to reflect land use, climatic, topographic, and human disturbances that could affect habitat selection at a resolution of 0.1 km2. The mean ensemble model was projected to the state of Karnataka. Habitat selection predicted by the ensemble model was driven by proximity to forest cover and rocky outcrops, higher precipitation, and negatively by distance to cropland and roads. Protected Areas and Reserved Forests in the study covered 47% of the predicted habitat, while 25% is within human-use areas such as human habitation and croplands. This study predicts that half of the habitat selected by leopards is outside of protected areas and reserved forests. The selection of human-use areas is predicted because of the availability of cover from irrigated croplands and the proximity to natural cover that provides refuge. Livestock density did not drive large-scale habitat selection. The preservation of natural cover and rocky outcrops that provide refuge between protected areas is paramount for leopard conservation.

Alloparenting and family behaviours in leopards (Panthera pardus fusca)

Alloparenting and family behaviours in leopards (Panthera pardus fusca)

Home range, habitat use and capture-release of translocated leopards in Gir landscape, Gujarat, India.

Understanding the spatial ecology of translocated leopards (Panthera pardus fusca) is crucial for their conservation and the effective assessment of conflict management strategies. We investigated the home range and habitat preferences of five radio-collared leopards (n = 5; 2 males; 3 females) in the Gir landscape. Additionally, we examined the usefulness of the capture-release strategy for these animals. We assessed home range and habitat selection using kernel density estimation (at 95% and 50% levels) and compositional analysis. Our findings revealed that leopards exhibited distinct patterns of movement, often returning to their original capture site or nearby locations or exploring new areas within 3 to 25 days, covering distances ranging from 48 to 260 km. The average home range (95% FK) was estimated at 103.96±36.37 (SE) km2, with a core area usage (50% FK) of 21.38±5.95 km2. Seasonally, we observed the largest home ranges during summer and the smallest during winter. Males exhibited larger home ranges (95% FK, 151±64.28 km2) compared to females (56.18±14.22 km2). The habitat analysis indicated that agricultural areas were consistently preferred in the multi-use landscape at the 2nd order habitat selection level. Additionally, habitat around water bodies was highly favoured at the 3rd order, with distinct variations in habitat selection observed during day and night. This study highlights the significance of riverine and scrubland habitats, as leopards exhibited strong preferences for these habitats within their home ranges. We emphasize the importance of conserving natural habitat patches, particularly those surrounding water bodies. We also report on the characteristics of the capture-release strategy and provide our observations indicating no escalated aggression by leopards' post-release. In conclusion, this study evaluates widely employed approaches to conflict mitigation and suggests the continuous review and assessment of management strategies for mitigating human-leopard conflicts.

Species discrimination from hair using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy: Application in wildlife forensics

Hair is a commonly encountered trace evidence in wildlife crimes involving mammals and can be used for species identification which is essential for subsequent judicial proceedings. This proof of concept study aims, to distinguish the black guard hair of three wild cat species belonging to the genus Panthera i.e. Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca), and Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) using a rapid and non-destructive ATR-FTIR spectroscopic technique in combination with chemometrics. A training dataset including 72 black guard hair samples of three species (24 samples from each species) was used to construct chemometric models. A PLS2-DA model successfully classified these three species into distinct classes with R-Square values of 0.9985 (calibration) and 0.8989 (validation). VIP score was also computed, and a new PLS2DA-V model was constructed using variables with a VIP score ≥ 1. External validation was performed using a validation dataset including 18 black guard hair samples (6 samples per species) to validate the constructed PLS2-DA model. It was observed that PLS2-DA model provides greater accuracy and precision compared to the PLS2DA-V model during cross-validation and external validation. The developed PLS2-DA model was also successful in differentiating human and non-human hair with R-Square values of 0.99 and 0.91 for calibration and validation, respectively. Apart from this, a blind test was also carried out using 10 unknown hair samples which were correctly classified into their respective classes providing 100 % accuracy. This study highlights the advantages of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy associated with PLS-DA for differentiation and identification of the Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, and Snow Leopard hairs in a rapid, accurate, eco-friendly, and non-destructive way.

Prey selection by leopards (Panthera pardus fusca) in the mid-hill region of Nepal.

Information on prey selection and the diet of the leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) is essential for leopard conservation. We conducted an investigation into the prey species and the proportion of each species in the leopard's diet in a human-dominated mid-hill region of Nepal. The analysis of 96 leopard scats collected between August 2020 and March 2021 revealed that leopards consumed 15 prey species, including small- and medium-sized mammals and livestock. In addition to these prey species, we also found plastic materials, bird feathers, and some unidentified items in the leopard scats. Wild ungulates (such as barking deer, Muntiacus muntjak and wild boar, Sus scrofa) constituted only 10% of the biomass in the scats, while livestock contributed 27%, and other wild prey contributed 50%. Among all species, domestic goats had the highest relative biomass in the scats, followed by the jungle cat (Felis chaus), domestic dog (Canis familiaris), and large Indian civet (Viverra zibetha). Similarly, the Indian hare (Lepus nigricollis) had the highest proportion of relative individuals present in the scat samples, followed by the jungle cat and the large Indian civet. A lower proportion of biomass from wild ungulates in the leopard's diet and a higher dependency of the leopard on domestic prey and other wild prey indicate a shortage of medium-sized wild prey, such as barking deer and wild boar, in leopard habitats. Therefore, the conservation of wild prey species, especially medium-sized prey, is crucial for reducing the leopard's dependence on livestock and mitigating human-leopard conflicts in the future.

Lack of detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wildlife from Kerala, India in 2020-21.

Spillover of SARS-CoV-2 into a variety of wild and domestic animals has been an ongoing feature of the human pandemic. The establishment of a new reservoir in white-tailed deer in North America and increasing divergence of the viruses circulating in them from those circulating in the human population has highlighted the ongoing risk this poses for global health. Some parts of the world have seen more intensive monitoring of wildlife species for SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses but there are still very large gaps in geographical and species-specific information. This paper reports negative results for SARS-CoV-2 PCR based testing using a pan coronavirus end point RDRP PCR and a Sarbecovirus specific E gene qPCR on lung and or gut tissue from wildlife from the Indian State of Kerala. These animals included: 121 Rhinolophus rouxii (Rufous Horsehoe Bat), six Rhinolophus bedommei (Lesser Woolly Horseshoe Bat), 15 Rossettus leschenaultii (Fulvous Fruit Bat), 47 Macaca radiata (Bonnet macaques), 35 Paradoxurus hermaphroditus (Common Palm Civet), five Viverricula indica (Small Indian Civet), four Herpestes edwardsii (Common Mongoose), ten Panthera tigris (Bengal Tiger), eight Panthera pardus fusca (Indian Leopard), four Prionailurus bengalensis (Leopard cats), two Felis chaus (Jungle cats), two Cuon alpinus (Wild dogs) and one Melursus ursinus (sloth bear).

Phylogenetic analysis and haplotype networking of Hepatozoon felis infecting wild animals in Gir National Park, Gujarat, India.

The present study was aimed to determine the phylogenetic relationship, haplotype network, and demographic dynamics of H. felis infecting the endangered Asiatic lions in Gir National Park, Gujarat, India, on the basis of partial 18S rRNA gene. The phylogenetic analysis based on the partial 18S rRNA gene sequences of H. felis exhibited the presence of two distinct genotypes of H. felis (HfG1 and HfG2) infecting the Indian wild felids, viz., the Asiatic lion, Royal Bengal tiger, and Indian leopard. The HfG1 and HfG2 genotypes exhibited 97.6-100% and 99.7-100%, and 96.9-98.7% nucleotide identity within and between themselves, respectively. The HfG1 genotype exhibited a higher genetic diversity as compared to HfG2. A total of 22 molecular signatures were identified in the 18S rRNA gene between these genotypes. Further, analysis of a total 67 sequences of H. felis (13 different host species from 13 countries of Africa, South America, Asia, and Europe) that were downloaded from GenBankTM, generated 30 haplotypes. Among all the haplotypes, Hap_17 (h=12) was the most frequent followed by Hap_12 (h=09) and Hap_4 (h=05). Out of 13 location-wise populations, India (h=12) shared the highest number of haplotypes followed by Japan (h=08), and the least number of haplotypes were found in Hungary (h=02). Population dynamics study involving neutrality tests and mismatch distribution, and genetic differentiation indices, revealed the presence of phylogeographic population structure and a constant population size indicating a uniform gene flow among the populations worldwide. In conclusion, a high genetic diversity along with the presence of two distinct genotypes of H. felis were observed on the basis of 18S rRNA gene sequence analysis.

Human–leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) conflict trend and hotspot analysis in Junnar forest division of Pune Forest Circle, Maharashtra, India

Human–leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) conflict trend and hotspot analysis in Junnar forest division of Pune Forest Circle, Maharashtra, India

Food habits and characteristics of livestock depredation by leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) in human dominated landscape of South Gujarat, India

Information on essential resource requirements and characteristics of livestock predation is crucial for formulating a better conservation strategy for leopards in a human-dominated landscape. We assessed food habits and characteristics of livestock predation in the human-dominated landscape of South Gujarat, India, using scat analysis (n = 350) and secondary information from forest department reports (n = 780). Leopards consumed 17 prey species, with pigs contributing the most (44%) to the leopards’ diet, while domestic horses contributed the least (1%). Leopards preyed upon four domestic species: goats (47%), cows (43%), buffaloes (6%), and horses (2%). Young individuals of livestock were most commonly targeted by leopards, and livestock species were predominantly preyed upon during the evening or night time. Livestock were most vulnerable to predation when tied in open areas and least vulnerable while grazing. Our results highlight the significant role of pigs as the main prey and their contribution to mitigating livestock predation. Additionally, improving cattle shed structures and implementing night guarding could help reduce livestock predation. This study also addresses the knowledge gap regarding leopard ecology in human-dominated landscapes.

Ecological and anthropogenic drivers of leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) attack occurrence on humans in Nepal

Abstract The negative impact of large carnivore presence in human‐dominated landscapes manifests as livestock depredation and in extreme cases as attacks on humans. In the case of conflict with leopards in Nepal, attacks resulting in human fatality have become more frequent over time, thus creating an urgent socio‐ecological and management issue. We estimated the occurrence of leopard attacks in Nepal from human‐leopard conflict cases reported in the media. We used occupancy models to analyse data collected from online news reports on incidents of leopard attacks on humans to explore drivers of leopard attacks on a landscape scale. Our results suggest that the probability of occurrence of leopard attack is associated with human population density, terrain ruggedness and livestock density. The human population density effect may be indicative of a density‐dependent relationship, where attacks are more likely in areas where an increased abundance of humans increases encounter rates with leopards. The positive effect of livestock density suggests that livestock may be drawing leopards into human settlements, and consequently increasing the likelihood of attacks on humans. Terrain ruggedness might be offering ideal conditions to facilitate attacks on humans, for example remoteness and high amounts of cover to launch ambush attacks. We provide inference and insights into key determinants of leopard attacks on humans on a landscape scale. These insights can be used to guide future research, inform mitigation measures to reduce leopard attacks and foster a better understanding of the interaction between people and leopards. This study demonstrates the applicability and novelty of using a hierarchical modelling framework applied to freely and publicly available media reports to inform the applied management of human‐wildlife conflict at a national scale. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Food habits and dietary partitioning between leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) and Asiatic lion (Panthera leo leo) in Gir protected area, Gujarat, India

Food habits and dietary partitioning between leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) and Asiatic lion (Panthera leo leo) in Gir protected area, Gujarat, India

The Rising Effects of Human-leopard Conflicts in Karnataka: A Review from Media Reports

The Indian leopards are widely distributed on the Indian subcontinent and is the smallest of the Big Cats known for its ability to adapt in a variety of habitats. A nocturnal animal, the leopard hunts by night and feeds on smaller species of herbivores found in its range. The present study aims to collect media reports on human-leopard conflicts especially in human habitats of Karnataka State. Leopards were constantly in the news/media in Mysuru region and were increasingly coming into conflict situations with tragic results for both humans and the animal. Since 2018, the data showed that 16 people have been killed in different parts of Karnataka state by leopards. Leopards use neck bites to kill 90% of their prey and may drag up to 400 mts of small prey. The districts of Ramanagara, Mandya, Mysuru, Ballari, Tumakuru, Koppala, Kolara, Davangere and Chikkamagaluru were among those affected by leopard attacks and sightings. 65 leopards were captured/rescued and relocated to protected areas during 2019-22 in Mysuru district.

Canine Distemper Virus in Tigers (Panthera tigris) and Leopards (P. pardus) in Nepal.

From wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in the Serengeti to tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) in the Russian Far East, canine distemper virus (CDV) has been repeatedly identified as a threat to wild carnivores. Between 2020 and 2022, six Indian leopards (P. pardus fusca) presented to Nepali authorities with fatal neurological disease, consistent with CDV. Here, we report the findings of a serosurvey of wild felids from Nepal. A total of 48 serum samples were tested, comprising 28 Bengal tigers (P. t. tigris) and 20 Indian leopards. Neutralizing antibodies were identified in three tigers and six leopards, equating to seroprevalences of 11% (CI: 2.8-29.3%, n = 28) and 30% (CI: 12.8-54.3%, n = 20), respectively. More than one-third of seropositive animals were symptomatic, and three died within a week of being sampled. The predation of domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) has been posited as a potential route of infection. A comparison of existing diet studies revealed that while leopards in Nepal frequently predate on dogs, tigers do not, potentially supporting this hypothesis. However, further work, including molecular analyses, would be needed to confirm this.

Prevalence and Distribution of Endoparasites in Carnivorous Primates from Thrissur Zoological Garden

The animals selected for the endoparasitic observation are four species of carnivorous mammals specifically, Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica), Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) and Indian jackal (Canis aureus indicus) that have been captivated in Thrissur zoo. By using direct smear inspection, conventional sedimentation, and flotation procedures, the faecal samples were subjected to a thorough routine parasitological study to determine the presence of parasite eggs and oocysts. The current analysis revealed that helminth and protozoan parasites infest four species of carnivorous mammals. Ancylostoma, Toxascaris leonina, Toxocara, Strongyle type and the trematode eggs of the species of Paragonimus as well as the coccidian genera Isospora of protozoa, were all observed to be abundant in the gastro intestinal tract of chosen mammals as a result of the study. By statistical analysis, according to the most recent observations it is noticed thatToxocara makes upon 25% of wild mammals, and any of the parasites infects 60% of wild mammals.

Population status and density estimate of Leopard Panthera pardus fusca in dry thorn forests of southern India

The study aims to assess the population status and density of the Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) in the Erode Forest Division, Tamil Nadu. The Erode Forest division has numerous villages within its boundaries and is exposed to associated biotic pressures. In order to improve the management practices of the wildlife in the area and to enhance its conservation, it is relevant to assess its status. In 2018 and 2020, we estimated the population density of the leopard in the entire forest division using 2 km2 sample grids and the camera trapping method. In each grid, we deployed a pair of camera traps, the cumulative number of trap-nights being 22983 (10732 trap nights in 2018 and 12251 in 2020). We analysed the obtained data using spatially explicit capture-recapture models (SECR). The surveys yielded 198 images of the leopard in 2018 and 272 images in 2020, of which 48 and 44 leopard individuals were identified in the respective years based on the rosette pattern. The density estimates were 5.16 (SE = ±0.89) and 4.00 (SE ± 0.72) individuals/100 km2 in 2018 and 2020, respectively. We found that in some regions overlapping with the human-use area, leopard densities were high, indicating that the species successfully exploits areas near human habitation and highlighting its high potential for interaction with humans. This baseline estimate and insights will help prioritize management actions, strengthen large mammal conservation beyond the boundaries of protected areas (PA), and plan human-wildlife conflict mitigation measures to enable the persistence of large carnivores in multi-use forests.

Species discrimination from blood traces using ATR FT-IR spectroscopy and chemometrics: Application in wildlife forensics

Efficient tools for the identification and discrimination of species are imperative in wildlife conservation since they can endow with information of species exploitation and also abet in solving problems related to forensic science. Herein, a non-destructive and rapid analytical method (ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy) coupled with PCA and PLS-DA was employed to analyze the dry blood samples for the species discrimination. Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus), Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca), and Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) species were used to construct the chemometric models. Additionally, Domestic Pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) and Human (Homo sapiens) blood were taken for the external validation study. The evaluation results illustrate that the ATR FT-IR Spectroscopy in combination with PLS-DA model showed statistically confident discrimination among selected species from dry blood traces. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy supported with predictive models has been a robust, ideal, and suitable tool for species discrimination from dry blood traces recovered in wildlife investigations.

Fecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels in captive Indian leopards (Panthera pardus fusca) housed under three different enrichment regimes.

Environmental enrichment improves the health and wellbeing of zoo animals. To test this hypothesis, we used Indian leopards (Panthera pardus fusca), one of the popular zoo animals, as a model organism to understand effects of active and passive enrichment elements on stress hormone levels of captive individuals. We included three enrichment categories, category 'A' (having both active: cage size of 1204 m3 with raised platforms and earthen flooring, and passive: controlled temperature, playback of forest sounds and sound proof glass to filter visitors' noise, enrichment elements), category 'B' (active enrichment type I, cage size of 264 m3 with air coolers), and category C (active enrichment type II, cage size of 517 m3 without air coolers) for leopards (n = 14) housed in two Indian zoos. We used a group-specific enzyme immunoassay to measure fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCM) in captive leopards. For comparison, we analysed samples from free-ranging leopards, as well. fGCM levels (Mean±SEM) were 10.45±2.01 and 0.95±0.003 μg/g dry feces in captive and free-ranging leopards, respectively. Our results revealed that fGCM levels of leopards in categories B and C were significantly (P<0.05) different from each other, thus, indicating cage size (an active enrichment element) as an important factor in influencing the physiology of the sampled animals. Overall, the findings of the study will contribute towards informed policies for management of captive Indian leopards.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in a free ranging leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) in India.

We report an incidence of natural infection of SARS-CoV-2 in free-ranging Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca). The case was detected during routine screening. Post-mortem and laboratory examination suggested virus-induced interstitial pneumonia. Viral genome could be detected in various organs including brain, lung, spleen, and lymph nodes by real-time PCR. Whole-genome sequence analysis confirmed infection of Pango lineage B.1.617.2 of SARS-CoV-2. Till now, only Asiatic lions have been reported to be infected by SARS-CoV-2 in India. Infections in animals were detected during peak phase of pandemic and all the cases were captive with close contacts with humans, whereas the present case was observed when human cases were significantly low. No tangible evidence linked to widespread infection in the wild population and the incidence seems to be isolated case. High nucleotide sequence homology with prevailing viruses in humans suggested spillover infection to the animal. This report underlines the need for intensive screening of wild animals for keeping track of the virus evolution and development of carrier status of SARS-CoV-2 among wildlife species. Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10344-022-01608-4.