Snow leopard conflict cases rise in Ladakh
NEW DELHI: There have been around nine snow leopard conflict cases reported in Ladakh during the past two months of national lockdown where the elusive carnivores have killed or attacked livestock in village corrals, according to the wildlife protection department of Jammu and Kashmir.
Out of the nine snow leopards found in conflict with habitation, six had to be caught and moved to the department’s rescue centre in Leh for a period of 15 days to a month. One of them continues to be at the rescue centre and will be released in the wild in a fortnight or so, according to Md Sajid Sultan, regional wildlife warden, Ladakh.
“Snow leopards and Himalayan brown bears have been seen to be moving about more freely closer to habitation compared to the past two years. There have been around nine conflict cases involving snow leopards in less than two months which may be linked to less movement of humans during lockdown. There were two conflict cases last year,” he said, adding that the Himalayan brown bears have been spotted on highways and villages where they haven’t been seen in decades. The six snow leopards that were involved in conflicts and killing of livestock, including sheep and Pashmina goats, from villages at lower altitudes had to be confined to a rescue centre either because they had injuries, issues with their teeth, a weak pelvic girdle or worms.
“They do not find enough prey in high altitudes and so tend to come down. February to March is the mating season and then they have the birthing season in May to July. They are tired and look for food during this time,” added Sultan who has three snow leopards at the rescue centre presently, two caught before lockdown who may not be released in their lifetimes as they have serious injuries.
Those released to the wild are either radio collared or GPS tagged with a microchip to track their movement. But those studying snow leopards say it’s not a good idea to capture them and confine them even for a few weeks following a livestock raid. “Communities should be helped to find better ways to protect livestock,” said Ajay Bijoor, assistant director, conservation, high altitudes at Nature Conservation Foundation.
“Lockdown and these raids could be coincidental. If herders haven’t been taking livestock out for grazing, a particular snow leopard who is partially dependent on livestock, can get into a village in search of food and attack livestock,” said Anish Andheria, president - Wildlife Conservation Trust. The environment ministry has asked Wildlife Institute of India to study the impact of lockdown on wildlife.