The first-ever leopard density estimation study conducted in Karnataka has indicated a high density of leopards in the Bhadravati Forest Division.
The study, largest one carried out in the country, as conducted by the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF), Mysore, in collaboration with the Forest Department.
It covered 27,000 sq. km of forests across five protected areas and five territorial divisions.
Bridging the gap Sanjay Gubbi of NCF and Panthera said the study would help bridge the gap in scientific data pertaining to basic information on the distribution of leopards, their abundance, habitat requirements for optimal densities, and spatial and temporal distribution of human-leopard conflict.
Camera trapping was carried out in 315 sq. km area to estimate leopard densities in 14 reserved or minor forests contiguous to each other, such as Kukvadi-Ubrani, Bhadrapura, Anthargange, Hadikere East, Hadikere West, Rangayyanagiri, Hanne, Dodderi, Attigunda, Nagoli, Kalkere, Kaggi, Nagoli and Siddaralli, said Mr. Gubbi, who led the study and was the chief scientist.
‘Results surprising’ He said the results were positive and surprising and the estimated population in the 315 sq. km area is 39 to 49 and the density was 11 leopards/100 sq km.
“This is one of the highest densities of leopards recorded in the country, especially from reserved forests. This shows that leopards still need natural habitats and can reach high densities even in reserved forests, provided suitable cover and prey is available,” Mr. Gubbi said.
A statement issued by NCF cited Vinay Luthra, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), stating that results underlined how much one still had to learn about the distribution and ecology of leopards, not just in protected areas but outside as well.
395 photo captures The NCF said the entire exercise yielded 395 leopard photo captures and the individual leopards were identified using the rosette patterns on their right and left flanks and Panthera V4 camera traps were used for the study.
Prey encounter rate Mr. Gubbi said that apart from leopard densities, prey encounter rate was calculated to give an idea about availability of domestic and wild prey. The mean encounter rate in camera traps of wild prey, such as wild pig (5.97), sambar (3.58) and black-naped hare(16.2), were fairly significant though encounter rates for domestic prey (livestock and dogs) was higher as per the study.
“We are not sure if leopards rely more on wild prey or domestic prey in this area. However, reliance of leopards on domestic prey can lead to conflict. Hence it’s important that suitable protection is accorded to improve wild prey densities in the area,” Mr. Gubbi added
