Dietary composition of leopards in contrasting ecosystems: Implications for conservation

Understanding the diet of large carnivores in different ecosystems is important for their effective conservation. This study investigated the dietary composition of leopards (Panthera pardus fusca) in Gir forest (n = 135) and its surrounding multi-use land matrix (n = 50) using scat analysis. We employed frequency of occurrence (FO) and biomass consumption models to quantify the leopard diet and evaluated dietary niche breadth using Levin's index. Our results revealed significant differences in dietary patterns between the two ecological settings. Leopards in the Gir forest consumed 82% wild prey, while those in the multi-use land matrix consumed 53%. Domestic prey constituted 18% and 47% of the leopard diet in the Gir forest and the multi-use land matrix, respectively. Leopards in the Gir forest displayed a narrow dietary niche breadth (Levin's index = 0.39), whereas those in the multi-use land matrix exhibited a broader niche breadth (Levin's index = 0.70). These findings underscore the importance of wild ungulates in the diet of leopards, highlighting the importance of implementing effective conservation measures to safeguard these species. Moreover, this study bridges the knowledge gap concerning leopard dietary intake in two distinct ecological settings, providing valuable information for future comparisons and formulating conservation strategies for this species.