Many thanks to those who read this blogs. Most of these posts are also at Facebook where there are also other updates if you wish to comment. I've started a YouTube channel, there is a clip near the bottom of this page. It will essentially contain short videos based on the theme
"Understanding the Leopard"
Leopard behaviour does vary, there are personality traits and an individual involved in conflict situations will adapt and act in a way that suits him or her. So while there are certain guidelines it is important not to assume anything, each case must be treated according to the cards in front of you. That switch that flicks in a leopard's mind for it to start attacking humans is influenced by many factors. Prey base, or lack of it, is an obvious one but there are attacks in places where there is already ample prey.
Leopards are in the main risk averse but this does not mean they are fearful, there is a big difference. Attacking a biped, a large primate such as a human obviously involves more risk than attacking a dog or goat if the leopard ventures out of jungle areas.
So there are influences which need to be looked for. A small overnight dwelling for livestock such as the one in the image costs between 50 and a hundred dollars to build, unfortunately that is often too much for people in poverty stricken areas. As part of behaviourial study I check how many such sheds are in a conflict area because it can hold a key to repeat attack sites, particularly where children have been victims. It's no use just a few households having effective coral systems, it has to be across the board and those type of safety measures have to be thought through for people as well.
A leopard will understand this, it will modify its behaviour. Then the essential element of natural prey comes back into play thus bringing in the components of poaching, indiscriminate hunting and general habitat management. Each area has its own set of dynamics but there is there less chance of conflict if leopards, apex predators that they are, can operate in robust and healthy ecosystems.
ECOSYSTEM REBUILDING - MAVERICK MAYBE BUT BALANCE IS THE KEY... Before uploading this video to YouTube I ran it past someone whose opinion I seek with regards to ecosystem rebuilding. He jokingly referred to me as a maverick conservationist (hence the previous post on Facebook), prepared to try the untried. As I mentioned earlier I'm passionate about where we can go with ecosystem rebuilding and leopard reintroduction into areas where they have been previously eradicated (poaching, deforestation etc) is a platform we are attempting to build within that concept. However there has to be balance, fairness to all sides and so far the leopards have been reintroduced well away from human settlements and have kept out of trouble. The results will take some time to understand.
In areas where there is low natural prey base conflict is likely to occur so prey base is critical. Where I'll be in a couple of days, a place where there has been real tragedy, that is a completely different scenario, the extraction of leopards maybe the only short term solution but ultimately the rebuilding of prey base is the long term answer. Barking deer translocation is a possibility I see... maverick? Ah come on, to win we have to think outside the square, be brave, plan well and think with balance about balancing ecosystems...
In areas where there is low natural prey base conflict is likely to occur so prey base is critical. Where I'll be in a couple of days, a place where there has been real tragedy, that is a completely different scenario, the extraction of leopards maybe the only short term solution but ultimately the rebuilding of prey base is the long term answer. Barking deer translocation is a possibility I see... maverick? Ah come on, to win we have to think outside the square, be brave, plan well and think with balance about balancing ecosystems...
