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<p>Human-wildlife conflict is a major conservation challenge, particularly in regions where apex predators coexist with human settlements. This study examines seasonal dietary composition, prey diversity, and habitat use of&#xa0;the leopard across two contrasting landscapes in the Kashmir Himalaya: the protected landscape, and the human-dominated landscape of Kupwara. The objective was to assess prey selection and its implications for human-wildlife conflict. A total of 303 leopard scat samples (136 from the protected landscape and 167 from Kupwara) were analyzed using microscopic hair identification, revealing 17 prey species—15 from the protected landscape and 16 from Kupwara—categorized as domestic animals, wild animals, rodents, and others. Small rodents dominated leopard diets, peaking in the spring in the protected landscape and in the winter in Kupwara. Livestock consumption by the leopard was significantly higher in Kupwara than in the protected landscape, where wild prey was more frequent. The leopard in Kupwara exhibited greater prey diversity and niche breadth in the summer and autumn, whereas in the protected landscape it showed greater evenness and niche specialization, particularly in the winter and spring. Habitat use of the&#xa0;leopards indicated significant seasonal variations in elevation and distance from human habitation (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.0001). The leopard in the protected landscape occupied higher elevations and maintained a greater distance from human settlements&#xa0;than in Kupwara. The findings suggest a higher potential for human-wildlife conflict in Kupwara due to increased livestock predation. Strengthening livestock protection, enhancing wild prey availability, and involving local communities in conflict mitigation are recommended to promote coexistence and reduce conflict intensity in human-dominated areas.</p>

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Seasonal dietary shifts of the common leopard in the Kashmir Himalaya: implications for human-leopard conflict

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月3日

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  • Uzma Dawood,
  • Iyaz Quyoom,
  • Zubair Ahmad Teli,
  • Samina A. Charoo,
  • Bilal A. Bhat

摘要

Human-wildlife conflict is a major conservation challenge, particularly in regions where apex predators coexist with human settlements. This study examines seasonal dietary composition, prey diversity, and habitat use of the leopard across two contrasting landscapes in the Kashmir Himalaya: the protected landscape, and the human-dominated landscape of Kupwara. The objective was to assess prey selection and its implications for human-wildlife conflict. A total of 303 leopard scat samples (136 from the protected landscape and 167 from Kupwara) were analyzed using microscopic hair identification, revealing 17 prey species—15 from the protected landscape and 16 from Kupwara—categorized as domestic animals, wild animals, rodents, and others. Small rodents dominated leopard diets, peaking in the spring in the protected landscape and in the winter in Kupwara. Livestock consumption by the leopard was significantly higher in Kupwara than in the protected landscape, where wild prey was more frequent. The leopard in Kupwara exhibited greater prey diversity and niche breadth in the summer and autumn, whereas in the protected landscape it showed greater evenness and niche specialization, particularly in the winter and spring. Habitat use of the leopards indicated significant seasonal variations in elevation and distance from human habitation (p < 0.0001). The leopard in the protected landscape occupied higher elevations and maintained a greater distance from human settlements than in Kupwara. The findings suggest a higher potential for human-wildlife conflict in Kupwara due to increased livestock predation. Strengthening livestock protection, enhancing wild prey availability, and involving local communities in conflict mitigation are recommended to promote coexistence and reduce conflict intensity in human-dominated areas.