A cat among the dogs: leopardPanthera pardusdiet in a human-dominated landscape in western Maharashtra, India

• DOI: 10.1017/s0030605314000106
• Publication Date: 2014-09-10T23:00:54Z
• Authors: Vidya Athreya; Morten Odden; John D. C. Linnell; Jagdish Krishnaswamy; K. Ullas Karanth
• Keywords: Leopard; Mongoose

Abstract The ecology and predator–prey dynamics of large felids in the tropics have largely been studied natural systems where wild ungulates constitute majority prey base. However, human-dominated landscapes can be rich potential for carnivores because high density domestic animals, especially tropical countries pastoralism is an important livelihood activity. We report almost complete dependence leopards Panthera pardus on animals as crop lands Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra, India. From analysis 85 confirmed leopard scats, 87% leopard's biomass consisted with 39% consisting dogs Canis lupus familiaris alone. only species that occurred diet were rodents, small indian civet Viverricula indica , bonnet macaque Macaca radiata other primates Semnopithecus spp., mongoose Herpestes birds. Interviews conducted 77 households distributed randomly study area documented a animals: adult cattle Bos taurus calves, goats Capra aegagrus cats Felis catus at densities 169, 54, 174, 24 61 per km 2 respectively. Ivlev's electivity index indicated over-represented diet, given higher cattle. standing alone was sufficient to sustain site. Our results show abundance present human-use areas supports relatively predators, although this interaction could result conflict humans.