Assessing spatio-temporal patterns of human-leopard interactions based on media reports in northwestern India

Main Article Content

Kaushal Chauhan
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4228-6863
Arjun Srivathsa
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2935-3857
Vidya Athreya

Abstract

Large carnivores in human-use areas make for sensational print media content.  We used media reports to examine human-leopard interactions in Rajasthan, India.  We extracted news reports on leopard-related incidents from January 2016 to December 2018.  Incidents (n= 338) were categorized, mapped, and analysed to understand their nature and extent.  We found leopard-related news from 26 of 33 districts; a majority of these were in the eastern region of the State.  Most of the reported interactions appeared to be non-negative, despite losses to both leopards and people.  Our results provide a synthesis of spatio-temporal patterns of leopard-related incidents, which could help wildlife managers in better addressing negative interactions.  The study also demonstrates how news reports could be useful for examining human-wildlife interactions across large spatial scales.

Article Details

Section
Communications

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