Leopards were monitored for relative abundance and density by using camera trap method in various human-leopard conflict zones (low, medium and high) of Pauri Garhwal. Twelve camera traps were set with 204 trap nights on trails  (n=11) ranging from 1 to 2.5 km in Intensive Study Area (ISA) of high conflict zone.

A total of 17 camera traps were set with 257 camera trap nights on 12 different trails ranging from 1 to 3.5 km in medium conflict zones whereas 10 camera traps were set for 192 trap nights on 8 different trails ranging from 1to 2 km in low conflict areas.          

We compared trap success (no. of photographs/100 trap nights) for different conflict zones and found that high and medium conflict zones had higher trap success 8.2 to 8.7 than the low conflict areas (5.0). There was no significant difference in number of individuals identified per km walk in each zone (0.28 to  0.36 per km.). Expected leopard population in high and medium conflict areas is 2 to 10/10 km2 . There is high variation in the trapping success within a zone, which reflects how the leopards are moving in the area. 

We assume that if leopard are consistently moving on the trails, there should be least variation in trapping success. Our data indicates that there is a high coefficient of variation (CV) in trap success in low conflict zone (201%) than the medium to high conflicts zones (105-118%). It indicates that leopards have relatively restricted movements in medium to high conflict zones than the low conflict zones. This assumption requires verifying either using radio collared animals or by monitoring through non-invasive DNA based techniques. Photographic data of prey species is used to estimate distribution and abundance of prey species in different ISA. Systematic sampling of prey species tracks and signs was carried out and data suggest that wild prey abundance is low in all conflict zones.  A total of 90 scats (30 in each category) were analyzed and prey species were identified based on medullar and cuticular patterns.  Important prey of leopards includes livestock mainly cattle and dogs in all categories.  
 

Status and ecology of leopard in Pauri Garhwal. Phase-II: Ranging patterns and reproductive biology of leopard (Panthera pardus) in Pauri Garhwal Himalaya.