Study

Translocation as a tool for mitigating conflict with leopards in human-dominated landscapes of India

  • Published source details Athreya V., Odden M., Linnell J.D.C. & Karanth K.U. (2011) Translocation as a tool for mitigating conflict with leopards in human-dominated landscapes of India. Conservation Biology, 25, 133-141.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Translocate problem mammals away from residential areas (e.g. habituated bears) to reduce human-wildlife conflict

Action Link
Terrestrial Mammal Conservation
  1. Translocate problem mammals away from residential areas (e.g. habituated bears) to reduce human-wildlife conflict

    A before-and-after study in 1993–2003 in a largely arable area in Maharashtra, India (Athreya et al. 2011) found that after leopards Panthera pardus fusca were translocated away from human-dominated areas, the frequency and fatality of leopard attacks on humans increased and attacks on livestock increased. There were more leopard attacks on humans after translocations began (8–24/year) than before (1–7/year) and these resulted in more human fatalities (after: 3–11/year; before: 0–2/year). There were more leopard attacks on livestock after translocations began (average 166 attacks/year) than in the 12 month before translocations began (106 attacks). Authors reported that the attacks were by the translocated leopards. In a 4,275-km2 study area, with a human population density of 185 people/km2, 103 leopard translocations occurred between February 2001 and December 2003. Eighty-six leopards were caught in human-dominated areas, with 29 translocated <60 km to either of two natural forest sites and 56 moved >200 km to release sites elsewhere. Eleven leopards from outside the study area were also released at the natural forest sites. Location data were not available for six translocations. Human attack data during the translocation period were compared with those collated for 1993–2000.

    (Summarised by: Rebecca F. Schoonover)

Output references
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.


Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Save the Frogs - Ghana Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust