Tackling conflict between humans and leopards in Nepal

In the UK, when we think of leopards we typically think of days out at the zoo and exotic safaris, but for the people liv-ing alongside these animals it can be a very different story. In rural Nepal, people and leopards live in close proximity and encounters are common. In some cases, this might mean the loss of a goat or a prized family pet, but in others, the consequences are far worse. In 2021, Wildlife Vets International (WVI) plans to support a project dedicated to investigating the health status of so-called ‘conflict leopards’. It is hoped that a better understanding of the condition of these animals will provide further insights into the forces driving conflict and inform the way future incidents are managed.

Situated in South Asia, Nepal is a country of extremes. The north of the country runs along the spine of the Himalayas and is home to some of the world's tallest mountains. These descend through the fertile valleys of the mid-hills, to the tropical forests and grasslands of the Terai plains. This rich and varied landscape has an abundance of wildlife, but not all of its inhabitants make good neighbours. From 2010 to 2014, there were an average of 19 leopard at-tacks on people each year. These incidents fre-quently take place outside protected areas and, tragically, often involve children. Over 40% of attacks prove fatal. It is easy to understand how losses like these could incite anger, violence and retaliatory killing, and in many countries this is the case, with persecution of leopards remaining one of the biggest threats to their survival. However, in Nepal which takes pride in its wildlife, government agencies and local NGOs are working hard to manage the situa-tion and find long-term solutions.