Open AccessCattle selectivity by leopards suggests ways to mitigate human–leopard conflict
Author(s) -
Khorozyan Igor,
Ghoddousi Siavash,
Soufi Mobin,
Soofi Mahmood,
Waltert Matthias
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.17
H-Index - 63
ISSN - 2045-7758
DOI - 10.1002/ece3.4351
Subject(s) - leopard , livestock , panthera , predation , geography , predator , grazing , preference , human–wildlife conflict , ecology , biology , socioeconomics , agroforestry , wildlife , sociology , economics , microeconomics
Addressing widespread livestock losses to carnivores requires information on which livestock categories are preferentially selected. We analyzed an individual‐based database of cattle grazing in forest ( n = 932) and having been killed ( n = 70) by leopards ( Panthera pardus ) in the Hyrcanian forest, Iran. We calculated Jacobs’ selectivity index for cattle age, sex, and coloration across four scales: the study area as a whole, three sites, nine villages, and 60 cattle owners. Naturally colored cattle were significantly preferred by leopards at all scales in comparison with black and black‐and‐white cattle, and there was also a preference for males and juveniles at the study area level. More research is needed to see whether cattle losses would decrease if the share of naturally colored individuals in local holdings was reduced and males and juveniles had limited access to forest. We conclude that phenotypic and biologic characteristics of livestock can affect depredation and appeal for more research in this direction, particularly within the predator–prey framework.