Large Mammalian Prey-Predators in Gir: Status, Ecology and Conservation

The Gir National Park and Sanctuary located in Kathiawar peninsula of Gujarat state of India is one the best managed protected area of India. It has the unique distinction of having sole population of Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica). The lion co-exist with leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) in Gir and both predators have very high density inside as well as outside Gir PA. This book deals with estimation of relative abundance of lion and leopard, spatio-temporal availability of prey biomass and its seasonal utilization by leopard and lion, seasonal home range pattern and large predator-human conflict around Gir protected area. The large predator-human conflict has assumed alarming proportion especially on the southern periphery and the study has mapped the spatial and temporal pattern of conflict and the strategies which may be used to reduce the conflict.