Leopard attacks imminent: Study

If the recent Panthera study commissioned by the forest department and done by Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) is to be believed, leopard attacks are imminent in urban surroundings near Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in the near future. The study is based on leopard scat (shit) samples collected, which reveal that the domestic dog makes more than half of the leopard’s prey these days. This according to surveyors indicates that leopards in SGNP have been venturing into human settlements quite often.

In the survey titled, Panthera study 08-09, BNHS collected 152 scat samples of which 117 were used for analysis. The scats were collected from May 6, 2008 to March 9, 2009 from along 17 routes in SGNP, which is spread over 103 square kms in Mumbai and Thane. 

A careful analysis of scats revealed that 47 per cent contained dogs while 23 per cent contained rodents, both of which are found in human settlements. Also during the survey residents of several areas near the SGNP pointed out that in the last five years leopard sightings in human settlements has increased considerably. Both these facts put together have made the researchers believe that the wild cats are straying into human settlements more often than they did earlier.

In the report it is stated that since 2004, the number of leopard attacks and associated deaths on humans has drastically reduced. In 2004 around 18 people were killed and 11 injured in various leopard attacks. This has come down to mere two injuries in 2008. “This can be mainly attributed to the massive trappings and imprisonment of 23 leopards in 2004 by the Forest Department from the most affected areas of SGNP. Two leopards from Thane and one from the Aarey Milk Colony were trapped from human settlements in and around the Park from 2007-2008,” states the report. “Despite this, leopard sightings have been increasing in most of the padas since 2004. Therefore, while the number of leopard attacks has reduced, the threat of potential attacks is in fact increasing,” states the report.

It can be noted that minus the caged leopards, according to forest department, there are 24 wild cats still in SGNP. More than 54 nagars and padas and the two revenue villages- Chena and Yeur- are situated inside the Park and the total population exceeds 250,000.

The report categorically states that leopard sightings have increased in the south of SGNP, which is towards Powai. “This only shows that leopards interaction with humans is increasing and will soon prove to be fatal for humans. Something ought to be done soon enough or we will have 2004 like attacks all over again,” said Krishna Tiwari, project head in conservation department of BNHS.

The report suggests construction of a high boundary wall around SGNP. “The proposed boundary wall is meant to span 32km in length and cover only a small portion of the 98km periphery of SGNP. Only 15 kms of the wall has been built to date. Leopard attacks on humans and domestic species can also be reduced by installing night lamps (as leopards tend not to stray into brightly lit areas), building enclosed latrines and having a person patrolling the padas at nights, especially during the monsoon when there is reduced visibility,” states the report.

Also reports suggests building of a corridor on Bassein Creek located in North of SGNP so that leopards can cross over to the Resrve forest in north or Tungareshwar wildlife sanctuary. “While leopards are able to swim, they are not inclined to do so and Bassein Creek is too large a distance to cross in order for the leopards to reach another forest area. Unless the corridor is built there is little hope for the long-term survival of the leopard in SGNP,” concludes the report.