Prey preferences of the leopard (Panthera pardus)

Abstract

Leopards Panthera pardus have a catholic diet and are generally thought to prey on medium-sized ungulates; however, knowledge on which species are actually preferred and avoided is lacking, along with an understanding of why such preferences arise. Twenty-nine published and four unpublished studies of leopard diet that had relative prey abundance estimates associated with them were analysed from 13 countries in 41 different spatial locations or temporal periods throughout the distribution of the leopard. A Jacobs' index value was calculated for each prey species in each study and the mean of these was then tested against a mean of 0 using t or sign tests for preference or avoidance. Leopards preferentially prey upon species within a weight range of 10-40 kg. Regression plots suggest that the most preferred mass of leopard prey is 25 kg, whereas the mean body mass of significantly preferred prey is 23 kg. Leopards prefer prey within this body mass range, which occur in small herds, in dense habitat and afford the hunter minimal risk of injury during capture. Consequently, impala, bushbuck and common duiker are significantly preferred, with chital likely to also be preferred with a larger sample size from Asian sites. Species outside the preferred weight range are generally avoided, as are species that are restricted to open vegetation or that have sufficient anti-predator strategies. The ratio of mean leopard body mass with that of their preferred prey is less than 1 and may be a reflection of their solitary hunting strategy. This model will allow us to predict the diet of leopards in areas where dietary information is lacking, also providing information to assist wildlife managers and conservation bodies on predator carrying capacity and predatorprey interactions.

Benefits of wildlife-based land uses on private lands in Namibia and limitations affecting their development

“…Wildlife biomass was estimated by multiplying the mean mass of individuals of a species (0.75 of standard female mass; Hayward et al, 2006) by respondents' estimates of populations of those species on their properties. When estimating venison production mean dressing percentages were multiplied by the number of individuals reported utilized each year (Bothma & du Toit, 2009).…”

The impacts, characterisation and management of human–leopard conflict in a multi-use land system in South Africa

“…Leopards accounted for 89 % of attacks compared to other large carnivores in the Blouberg, which is higher than predation rates of 40 % by leopards in the Waterberg Plateau of South Africa (Thorn et al 2013) and 32 % on game ranches in Botswana (Boast 2014). Leopards mainly preyed on nyala calves, warthog and impala which fall within the preferable prey size for leopards of 10-40 kg (Hayward et al 2006). These species had the highest relative abundance index on commercial farms in the Blouberg compared to other prey species predated on by leopards (Constant 2014).…”

Practical Considerations for the Reintroduction of Large, Terrestrial,Mammalian Predators Based on Reintroductions to South Africa's Eastern Cape Province

“…For large carnivores this is less likely than for other species, as prey availability is more important than the vegetation characteristics of a site [42,53,54]. Hence, if there is suitable prey available [23,[55][56][57][58], adequate refuges for competitively-inferior predators to escape persecution and kleptoparasitism from larger predators [59] and measures to alleviate human -wildlife conflict [15], then all large predator reintroductions are likely to be successful. Each of the sites in the Eastern Cape has properly reserved habitat and adequate food availability.…”

“…Shamwari sourced their leopard from rehabilitation centres where the 'wild edge' had been softened by exposure to veterinarians and carers. This has worked exceptionally well, with frequent sightings by tourists (leopards observed on 50% of days over 8 months to July 2006) [22] and the leopards have hunted independently since release [23].…”