Spotted in the News: Using Media Reports to Examine Leopard Distribution, Depredation, and Management Practices outside Protected Areas in Southern India

摘要: There is increasing evidence of large carnivore presence outside protected areas, globally. Although this spells conservation success through population recoveries, it makes persistence in human-use landscapes tenuous. The widespread distribution leopards certain regions India typifies problem. We obtained information on leopard-human interactions at a regional scale Karnataka State, India, based systematic surveys local media reports. applied an innovative occupancy modelling approach to map their patterns and identify hotspots livestock/human depredation. also evaluated management responses like removals ‘problem’ capture translocations. Leopards occupied around 84,000 km2 or 47% the State’s geographic area, designated national parks wildlife sanctuaries. Their was facilitated by extent vegetative cover- including irrigated croplands, rocky escarpments, prey base form feral free-ranging dogs. Higher probabilities attacks were associated with similar ecological features as well capture/removals leopards. Of 56 cases leopard reported, 91% did not involve human attacks, but followed livestock predation only sightings. lack knowledge ecology areas has resulted unscientific interventions, which could aggravate problem rather than mitigating it. Our results establish resident, breeding areas. therefore propose shift focus, from current reactive practices removal translocation leopards, proactive measures that ensure safety lives livelihoods.