The maneater that stood it's ground

[ckkalyan]

Prashant, It seems the leopard needed a visit to the dentist and thats exactly what it got. Cheers, SS

Good one SS, only this time the dentist decided to do a house call on the leopard!

[Safarigent]

ck
That article is not referring to this maneaters victim.

[ankur_ank007]

There was an interesting experience I had which I must share with you all.
We found fresh leopard scat at both places where the maneater had hidden it's prey. The boy and the goat.
My understanding is that the leopard does so to mark the place. Big Cat poo has a distinct smell.
The leopard probably uses the scent to locate the meal when ever it comes next.
The other reason could be to keep other animals away. Stray dogs could snatch the prey. The strong leopard smell would keep dogs far far away.
Leopards are the apex predators here. Places where they share the habitat with the tiger. The tend to hide their kill up a tree. The tiger may be the King of the Indian jungle. But the leopard here is the undisputed Prince.

Timmy. We identified the size and the sex of the maneater on the second day itself. I shared the information with the DFO.
One school of thought was that the animal was a young inexperienced female (2 to 3 yrs of age).
The other school of thought was probably the leopardess was pregnant.
There was yet another wildlifer who felt that she had young cubs and was hence not leaving the area.
When the animal was finally shot.....all these assumptions were put to rest.

Why this maneater stood it's ground. Will perhaps always remain a mystery.

Mesmerizing account of the hunt Prashantji and awsome pics too....

[ckkalyan]

ck That article is not referring to this maneaters victim.

Whoops, sorry - I was simply surfing the net to contribute more 'meat' from the news reports to add to your story! I was intrigued by the scores of news reporters disturbing you at the 'kill' scene and yet so little actual reports from them.

I was maybe, mistakenly drawn to the article by the close dates (Jan 2015) of man-eating leopard kills and dispatch in Dehradun?

Dang, this area seems to be crawling with maneaters - simply overrun by them, huh?!

[prashantsingh]

The article ck has posted is referring to the Dehradun maneater and has a note on another incident elsewhere in the state. You did not meet the SDO Mr Gulbir Singh, Safarigent. He was the guy who brought tea and biscuits for us when the maneater stole the bait on day 2.
. Mr Gulbir felt so guilty of the episode that he never came after that , till the last day when the maneater was shot.

[Safarigent]

I actually did meet him on the 24 and 25 while staying at the FRH.
in the hulaboo, forgot to tell you

[goodboy_mentor]

A very interesting thread by Prashant ji!

May I ask the members who are experienced in matters related to wild cats, is keeping some vicious dog as pet in house any help to keep animal like leopard away? Read on some sites that some dogs like Rhodesian ridgebacks have been used in past to hunt lions or similar animals.

[prashantsingh]

goodboy_mentor,
This particular maneater was what we today call an urban leopard.
Such leopards are found not only in this part of the country but also around the outskirts of Mumbai.
A detailed research was done on these animals using radiocollars in Mumbai.
It was found that 90% of the diet of an urban leopard is domesticated animals.
Out of this 60% is dogs.
So dogs actually make a major part of a leopard's diet.
Packs of dogs may prevent a leopard attack but a single dog stands little chance infront of an experienced big cat. Whatever the breed.

In the Himalayas there is a popular breed of dogs called "Bhutia". They are also known as the Himalayan sheep dogs. You will often find four-five of these dogs accompanieng a herd of sheep/goats.
In a pack they ward off leopard attacks. The owners put special spiked metal collars on the dogs to prevent leopards from killing them. Since Leopards tend to catch the prey from the neck.

[spin_drift]

@goodboy_mentor:

You may want to look into getting a couple of Rampur Hounds.

[Safarigent]

Rampur hounds need a lot of space plus like all sight hounds have an enhanced natural tendency to chase anything running away from them, eg small kids etc.
My friends in rajasthan with large farms have boerboels/ridge backs/bull mastiffs to ward off such attacks...
These maybe a good starting point. So would dogo argentinos

[timmy]

Prashantji, thanks not only for the story, but also for your analysis. Who but you could draw conclusions from this data!

I find it interesting and sad to note that human pressure seems to be at the bottom of this cat's demise -- here, I refer to the poachers and the cat chipping its tooth on the snare. I could understand the tooth of an old beast cracking, like mine! , but what might crack a younger animal's tooth? As I was reading through this, my thoughts went to the answer of "metal."

I also found your recounting study data about "urban leopards" interesting. Years ago out here in New Jersey, I thought that if coyotes ever took hold here, they would overrun the place. Now, 25 years later, that has happened. Maybe they have not overrun New Jersey, but they are not at all uncommon. I have seen them in the evening on the way home from work. What can they eat? There are few natural predators here and lots of small deer, rabbits, etc., gobbling up people's lawns and landscaping. There are also a lot of people with pets. I'm sure that coyotes take a good number of cats and dogs.

However, as you say about Mumbai: Thank goodness we don't have leopards here! There would be a great deal of food for them and as they are so smart, I'm sure that any urban environment is a place they would do quite well.

What a shame! We spoil the wild areas and leave trash around our own urban and suburban areas -- is it any wonder that the wildlife situation is in such a topsy-turvy state?

That cat is truly a magnificent animal. It is a shame that they cannot let her live forever, in a way, by putting her in a museum somewhere.

[bennedose]

Leopard kills dog in Mumbai apartment (video).
To me it appears that the dog struggles for one second - after that either its spine is snapped or its skull is crushed


[youtube][/youtube]

[SMJ]

Prashantsinghji as always what a fantastic narration! Extremely gripping.Well, congratulations to all of you gentlemen involved for successfully bagging the right animal. We hope that anyone who hunts these magnificent cats in order to save human lives also always has the same magnanimous thinking that you do sir

[Vikram]

Prashant and team,

Kudos to you all for successfully bringing this leopard down. Unfortunate but what must be done must be done.

Prashant, once again you have surpassed the high bar that you have set for yourself. What amazes me is your compassion and respect for the animal that you are bound to kill. Also is notable that you do not demonise the beast to lionise yourself. Or rush into shooting an animal to bask in the glory. You have my respect for all these traits. An honourable man worthy enough to take upon this task, given the challenges our wildlife faces.

Best-
Vikram

[brihacharan]

Hi Prashant,
> Bravo & well done
> Hats off to your tenacity & patience, an accomplishment worthy of honor & applause
Briha