Leopard Predation Thread

[AlexE]

Urban Leopards Can Save Lives By Eating Feral Dogs

That’s because 40 percent of the average leopard’s diet consists of feral or stray dogs, the researchers found. The density of feral dogs in and around the national park is an average of 17 dogs per square kilometer compared to other parts of Mumbai away from the park boundary that can have upwards of 680 dogs per square kilometer.

The study found that the small population of leopards “may consume about 1,500 dogs per year, saving around 1,000 bite incidents and 90 potential rabies cases.” The presence of leopards was also estimated to save $18,000 in dog management costs.

https://blog.nature.org/science/2018/03/08/urban-leopards-can-save-lives-by-eating-feral-dogs/?utm_campaign=social.nature&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_content=1520518495 Reply