‘Man is not leopard’s normal prey’

With several instances of leopards in human settlements and attacks on humans in recent times, deputy conservator of forests (DCF) West,

Shivaji

Phule talked with Sumita Sarkar to clear myths about this big cat.


Incidents of leopards attacking people are being reported more frequently. What causes that?

The natural habitat of leopards is forest. Forest cover has reduced. Whatever encroachment was there has been regularised.

There are patches of human settlement, like honeycombs, with little scope for isolated animal habitats. Herbivorous animals adjust in farms and surrounding areas, and the

leopard

preys on these herbivores. With shrinking forests, herbivores have reduced, and the

prey

base of the leopards has shrunk.

Leopards have fewer places to hide, and there are sugarcane farms in city areas, where vegetation is tall and offers animals cover. The leopard is a very adjustable animal. Leopards have adjusted to changes in the environment caused by human beings.

If they cannot find a deer, they will kill a dog. If a dog cannot be found, a calf or even a hen will do. To survive, leopards adapt. It’s interesting to study how these cats became multifarious.

The reduction of forests, smaller numbers of herbivores, the spread of farms – these has caused the leopards to change, facilitating the transit of the leopard slowly from jungles to city areas. Stray dogs, prey in people’s farms, water and hiding places are bringing it closer to urban areas.

What are the chances of a leopard attacking a

man

on seeing him?

Twice a leopard was seen in Savarkarnagar urban area but it did not attack anyone initially. Someone saw it and informed people. They gathered around it and it got disturbed, which is natural. When the crowds gather, they do not keep quiet. During such times if anyone goes close, it will attack in a bid to escape the maddening crowd. If one does not pay attention to the leopard while walking on the road, it will not attack. It will attack only when it feels insecure.

Are leopards man-eaters?

Generally, no. They are taught, when young, who the prey base is and who to attack. They attack only four-legged animals shorter than them. Attacks on humans happen when people are sitting or bending while working in farms, or on small children. In rare cases, when an animal is old or disabled, it might become a

man-eater

when it can no longer prey on other animals. Man-animal conflict has been seen when a man goes into the bushes with an equipment to cut branches and the leopard hiding inside feels he is coming to attack the leopard. It is not in the nature of leopards to attack humans.

What precaution should people take?

People should not move alone in the dark and they should make no noise while moving. In the outskirts of the city, people must carry torches and sticks if they set out when it is dark.