Monitoring prey dynamics and diet flucuations of leopard (Panthera pardus) in Dachigam National Park, Srinagar, J&K

Abstract

Leopard (Panthera pardus) is known for its ecological flexibility and wide distribution range. However, like other large carnivores, leopards are declining throughout their range due to habitat conversion, prey depletion, intense persecution and poaching for trade. In Kashmir valley leopard is at the top of the food chain and an apex predator that aids in regulating prey populations. Conservation and management planning of the leopards in Kashmir valley is impeded by the paucity of reliable empirical ecological information. There has been an increase in the human leopard conflict in the valley which, if left unnoticed, will worsen the conservation prospects of this threatened felid. Hence, this study was initiated to investigate the feeding ecology of leopard in Dachigam National Park and the human carnivore conflict around the park. The objectives of the study were estimating seasonal density and spatial distribution of prey species of leopard, studying the food habits and prey selectivity of leopard and quantifying the nature and extent of human-carnivore conflict around Dachigam National Park. The population of wild prey species was estimated in Dachigam National Park on seasonal basis using Distance sampling technique