06:00 PM
February 15, 2024
Event
Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Mumbai is one of the few protected areas with both a high density of leopards (26.34/100 sq. km.) and a high density of humans (a peripheral density of 20,000 people/sq. km.). Commonly, leopards observed in the city are termed “strays”, indicating how people still view the animal as one that does not understand boundaries drawn by humans. Between 2002-2004, 84 attacks on people were reported around SGNP, and because of fear among people and pressure from the media, these years also saw many leopards translocated. Our research uses tools such as camera traps and telemetry devices to understand the secretive leopards. I wish to share how leopards survive in this landscape, and how mass awareness and media sensitisation led to reduced trapping of leopards, resulting in much-reduced conflict, and traditional association of tribals with leopards for peaceful coexistence.
Speaker
Co-host
