Leopard next door: understanding livestock depredation and public attitudes in Surat district of Gujarat, India

Context An increasing leopard population outside forests and their interactions with humans have become a global conservation concern. Decline in natural habitats and wild prey has driven leopards to rely on livestock and stray animals near cultivated lands. Aims This study aimed to assess communities perceptions of livestock depredation by Indian leopards (Panthera pardus fusca) in human-dominated landscapes. The study sought to quantify animal losses, evaluate people’s views on leopard conservation, and understand the extent of awareness of leopard’s ecological role. Methods A survey was conducted in 2021–2022 through a structured interview-based questionnaire in five most affected sub-districts of Surat, Gujarat. A total of 587 randomly selected households were interviewed to gather data on (i) participants general information, (ii) participants knowledge, their views and thoughts regarding human–leopard interaction, (iii) livestock depredation information, and (iv) people’s perception towards leopards. Key results Survey revealed agriculture (58%) as the primary source of livelihood, followed by poultry and other livestock rearing for the locals. From January 2020 to June 2022, a total of 364 domestic animal losses due to leopard attacks were reported including goats, stray dogs and poultry, which accounted for 92% of predation cases. The community’s attitude towards leopards was mostly negative (~54%) due to economic losses. Though leopard conservation was supported by 50% of respondents, only 17% of respondents knew their ecological significance. Conclusions This study highlights that, although human–leopard interactions in Surat district are driven by significant economic losses from livestock depredation, local attitudes are not entirely negative. Despite these interactions, communities support leopard conservation and are likely to be receptive towards achieving coexistence. These perceptions are further shaped by demographic factors, indicating that social context also dictates the potential for coexistence. Implications The present study tried to bridge the gap in local understanding of leopards’ ecological role. The findings suggest that a lack of awareness and insufficient compensation contribute to negative attitudes towards leopards, implying a need for strategies that address both ecological understanding and community concerns. A fair public support has been shown for leopard’s conservation in the region despite the challenges associated in shared landscapes with these large predators.