Livestock predation patterns by gray wolves and persian leopards in Iran

Area of Science:

• Wildlife ecology
• Conservation biology
• Human-wildlife conflict

Background:

• Large carnivores (e.g., gray wolves, Persian leopards) impact livestock through predation.
• Understanding predation types (food-related vs. surplus) is crucial for conservation and conflict mitigation.
• Livestock predation by carnivores often leads to retaliatory killings, threatening vulnerable species.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and differentiate between food-related and surplus livestock predation by gray wolves and Persian leopards in Iran.
• To analyze seasonal patterns and characteristics of predation incidents.
• To provide evidence-based recommendations for reducing human-wildlife conflict and livestock losses.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 173 livestock predation records (2009-2019) attributed to gray wolves (Canis lupus) and Persian leopards (Panthera pardus tulliana).
• Categorization of predation events into food-related (consumed prey) and surplus (unconsumed prey) incidents.
• Comparison of predation frequencies, seasonal occurrence, and location (corrals vs. pastures) between species.

Main Results:

• Gray wolves exhibited a higher incidence of surplus predation compared to food-related predation across all seasons.
• Persian leopards showed similar frequencies of food-related and surplus predation throughout the year.
• Surplus predation by both species was more common in poorly constructed corrals than in open pastures.
• Wolves killed more livestock per surplus predation incident than leopards.

Conclusions:

• Livestock predation patterns differ between wolf and leopard populations in Iran, with surplus predation being a significant issue, especially for wolves.
• Inadequate corral security in Iranian villages facilitates frequent carnivore predation.
• Implementing enhanced corral security, employing guard dogs, night watchmen, and deterrents like fire can reduce livestock losses and retaliatory killings of carnivores.