IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Leopard Project Team of WWF-Pakistan Nathiagali Office, | |
| Investigate human-leopard conflict in Galliat and contiguous to Abbottabad and Margalla - Final Progress Report | |
| 2007 Full Book | |
In June and July, 2005 a Common leopard _(Panthera pardus) _killed six women in the forests of District Abbottabad. This incidence greatly influenced the community's feelings and resulted in negative attitude towards the conservation of wildlife, especially the carnivores. The occasional incidence of leopard predation on livestock had been accepted since long but the leopard attacking human being changed the whole scenario. The leopards emerged as a symbol of terror for the communities on one hand, and on the other, tremendous hue and cry was made with demands for the total elimination of leopards from area. While realizing the potential danger, WWF-Pakistan started a project titled "Investigate Human-leopard conflict in Galliat" on pilot scale. Keeping in view the gravity and magnitude of the problem, the project took certain initiatives to manage human-leopard conflict. The project focused mainly on collecting baseline information, analyze the root causes of the problem and suggest mitigating measures. In this regards, leopard population was calculated, its major prey species identified, habitat modeling through GIS carried out and livestock depredation surveys conducted. Main reasons of leopard attack on human being identified and mitigating measures suggested reducing its attack chances. To equip locals with necessary knowledge and skills pertaining to preventive measures from leopard attacks, five trainings were organized and a manual drafted to guide people regarding preventive measures. To ensure the conservation of leopard and keeping community away from both economic and social losses, a community-based livestock insurance scheme was launched. The scheme has so far yielded positive results and has the potential to be replicated elsewhere having the same problems. |
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