Distribution, Prey Selection, and Conservation Status of Common Leopard: Insights from District Sudhanoti, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
The common leopard (Panthera pardus) is a widely distributed yet vulnerable predator facing habitat loss, declining prey populations, and increasing human-wildlife conflict. This study investigates the distribution, dietary habits, and conservation challenges of the species in District Sudhanoti, A...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Faculty of Science, The University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Muzaffarabad
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Kashmir Journal of Science |
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| Online Access: | https://kjs.org.pk/index.php/kjs/article/view/145 |
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| author | Muhammad Jahangeer |
| author_facet | Muhammad Jahangeer |
| author_sort | Muhammad Jahangeer |
| collection | DOAJ |
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The common leopard (Panthera pardus) is a widely distributed yet vulnerable predator facing habitat loss, declining prey populations, and increasing human-wildlife conflict. This study investigates the distribution, dietary habits, and conservation challenges of the species in District Sudhanoti, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K), Pakistan. Distribution was assessed using direct and indirect sign surveys (scats, pugmarks, prey remains), while dietary analysis was conducted via scat examination to identify prey composition. The study recorded leopard presence between 418–2016 m asl, with seasonal shifts in habitat use. Scat analysis identified 10 prey species, including seven domestic and three wild meso-mammals, with domestic livestock comprising 78.98% of the diet, particularly goat (28.29%) and dog (21.05%). Wild prey (21.01%) consumption was higher in winter (38.08%), while domestic animals dominated in summer (88.21%). Biomass consumption analysis confirmed greater reliance on livestock, increasing human-leopard conflict, with 95% of local respondents viewing leopards negatively. Conservation efforts should focus on livestock protection, habitat restoration, and community engagement to mitigate conflicts and ensure species survival. Future research should emphasize long-term monitoring and conservation-based conflict resolution strategies to sustain leopard populations in AJ&K.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b9f0ef415a6d4c34ade5878f4cf2181f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2958-7832 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Faculty of Science, The University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Muzaffarabad |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Kashmir Journal of Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-b9f0ef415a6d4c34ade5878f4cf2181f2025-08-20T03:39:22ZengFaculty of Science, The University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, MuzaffarabadKashmir Journal of Science2958-78322025-06-014210.63147/krjs.v4i2.145Distribution, Prey Selection, and Conservation Status of Common Leopard: Insights from District Sudhanoti, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, PakistanMuhammad Jahangeer The common leopard (Panthera pardus) is a widely distributed yet vulnerable predator facing habitat loss, declining prey populations, and increasing human-wildlife conflict. This study investigates the distribution, dietary habits, and conservation challenges of the species in District Sudhanoti, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K), Pakistan. Distribution was assessed using direct and indirect sign surveys (scats, pugmarks, prey remains), while dietary analysis was conducted via scat examination to identify prey composition. The study recorded leopard presence between 418–2016 m asl, with seasonal shifts in habitat use. Scat analysis identified 10 prey species, including seven domestic and three wild meso-mammals, with domestic livestock comprising 78.98% of the diet, particularly goat (28.29%) and dog (21.05%). Wild prey (21.01%) consumption was higher in winter (38.08%), while domestic animals dominated in summer (88.21%). Biomass consumption analysis confirmed greater reliance on livestock, increasing human-leopard conflict, with 95% of local respondents viewing leopards negatively. Conservation efforts should focus on livestock protection, habitat restoration, and community engagement to mitigate conflicts and ensure species survival. Future research should emphasize long-term monitoring and conservation-based conflict resolution strategies to sustain leopard populations in AJ&K. https://kjs.org.pk/index.php/kjs/article/view/145Distribution prey selectioncommon leopardscat analysishuman-wildlife conflictconservationAzad Jammu and Kashmir |
| spellingShingle | Muhammad Jahangeer Distribution, Prey Selection, and Conservation Status of Common Leopard: Insights from District Sudhanoti, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan Kashmir Journal of Science Distribution prey selection common leopard scat analysis human-wildlife conflict conservation Azad Jammu and Kashmir |
| title | Distribution, Prey Selection, and Conservation Status of Common Leopard: Insights from District Sudhanoti, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan |
| title_full | Distribution, Prey Selection, and Conservation Status of Common Leopard: Insights from District Sudhanoti, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan |
| title_fullStr | Distribution, Prey Selection, and Conservation Status of Common Leopard: Insights from District Sudhanoti, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan |
| title_full_unstemmed | Distribution, Prey Selection, and Conservation Status of Common Leopard: Insights from District Sudhanoti, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan |
| title_short | Distribution, Prey Selection, and Conservation Status of Common Leopard: Insights from District Sudhanoti, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan |
| title_sort | distribution prey selection and conservation status of common leopard insights from district sudhanoti azad jammu and kashmir pakistan |
| topic | Distribution prey selection common leopard scat analysis human-wildlife conflict conservation Azad Jammu and Kashmir |
| url | https://kjs.org.pk/index.php/kjs/article/view/145 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT muhammadjahangeer distributionpreyselectionandconservationstatusofcommonleopardinsightsfromdistrictsudhanotiazadjammuandkashmirpakistan |