Human–leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) conflict trend and hotspot analysis in Junnar forest division of Pune Forest Circle, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Human–wildlife conflict (HWC) involves any interaction between human and wildlife that result in negative impacts on human social, economic, or cultural life, on the habitat and conservation of wildlife populations, or on the environment. HWC is frequent in the Junnar forest division (JFD) in the Pune district of Maharashtra, India, where Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) attacks on humans and livestock have a long history and increasing in severity due to changes in land use land cover and infrastructure. Domestic animals are the preferred prey of leopards in the study area, and people compete with wildlife for food and resources. Thus, managing adverse interactions is essential for conserving the lives and livelihoods of large carnivores, domestic animals, and people. The purpose of this study is to examine the spatial–temporal patterns of human–leopard conflict in the JFD. The study is based on leopard attack records on humans and livestock for the years 2001 to 2019 and livestock compensation and incidents data for the years 2017–2019 compiled from the JFD. The data has been analyzed using interpolation techniques on geospatial platform to identify leopard movement areas and significant spatial clustering of actual conflict locations. The analysis revealed that spatial predation threats for cattle have high-risk hotspots predominantly around sugarcane fields, waterbodies, and fallow land for grazing. The temporal analysis based on daytime duration revealed that livestock is mostly killed in mid- and early evening and during August, September, and October. The spatial–temporal studies on human–wildlife interactions would strengthen the effectiveness of conflict mitigation strategies and enable coexistence between people and wildlife.