COMMON LEOPARD PREYED on JUNGLE CAT: EVIDENCE from the MID-HILL of NEPAL

Abstract

Camera traps, an effective measure to monitor wildlife ecology, are used to capture images of wildlife with as little human interference as possible. We installed camera traps in a mid-hill region of Nepal in 1*1 km grids covering 60 km2 areas. Out of 36 pairs of camera traps across the location, a pair of camera traps captured an unusual image of a common leopard (Panthera pardus) preying on a jungle cat (Felis chaus). The incidences of camera traps capturing the hunting behavior of a larger felid species preying on smaller-sized Felidae is quite rare. This study signifies the possibility that the predation within the same family could be attributed to a lack of preferred prey species in the area or modified prey predator interaction in a human-dominated landscape. This finding contributes to better understand of the common leopard ecology by representing their hunting behavior of predating sympatric carnivore species. This type of evidence could contribute towards formulation of conservation actions focused on prey-predator interactions and could specifically signify that conservation of natural prey species, including small carnivores such as jungle cat, could be key to conserve the vulnerable leopards in the area.