Indian expert to talk on leopard conservation
View(s):Between 2010 and 2020, no less than 102 leopard deaths were recorded at the hands of humans. Many more may have died; unseen. Estimates place their number at being between 600 and 1,000 for the whole country. Unless something is done, and soon, the Sri Lankan Leopard faces the threat of extinction.
Dr. Vidya Athreya will deliver this month’s WNPS lecture on ‘Leopards: our adaptable neighbours’ on August 10 at 6 p.m., at the BMICH’s Jasmine Hall.
It is not just with increased awareness but also with added learning that the leopard can be made safe. This augmented knowledge can come from the specialized research that is being undertaken in several areas of the country, and also from that adapted from similar such studies in other countries, particularly India, where human-leopard interactions have been prevalent for some time.
Dr. Athreya is Director and Head of Science & Conservation at WCS-India. Based in Pune, for the past decade, Dr. Athreya has been studying human-leopard conflict in Maharashtra. She also works closely with Protected Area Managers and the public to mitigate conflicts involving big cats.
In Western Maharashtra, where she concentrates her work, and in other parts of India, as in Sri Lanka, leopards inhabit a variety of habitats – from forests, tea gardens, and croplands, to private forests. These large cats have even learned how to thrive in human-use landscapes including the edges of the city of Mumbai.
Dr. Athreya is a member of the IUCN Cat Specialist Group; she has assisted in formulating State and National level Policy Guidelines on managing human-leopard conflict. Her research has led to an increased awareness of large carnivores outside Protected Areas.
Dr. Athreya’s lecture will focus on leopard conservation strategies in India, the role of science and of engaging with the larger community.
The monthly lecture of the WNPS is supported by the Nations Trust Bank. Dr. Athreya’s visit is enabled the support of Dilmah Conservation and Jetwing Hotels.
The lecture is open to both members and non-members, entrance free.
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