Human and Leopard Coexistence Guidelines – Initial explainer page

September 2025 Update – This is a new section which will have ongoing content additions. Below is the first brief guideline aimed for people living in human and leopard conflict hotspots in primarily in India and Nepal. Detailed additional information and mobile digital platforms are to follow. Link to LeopardEye, our key conflict mitigation tool.

Human and Leopard Coexistence Guidelines

Stay Positive!

  • Leopards help keep nature balanced by controlling prey animals.
  • Coexistence protects both people and wildlife.

For many reasons encounters between people and leopards have increased in recent years.   Every encounter has the risk of potential conflict but by using basic safety measures it is possible and likely there is no harm to either human or animal.

Basic understanding of leopard attack behaviour

Leopards are known as ambush predators.  They use stealth and agility as well as camouflage to successfully hunt prey.  In the main leopards will not attack humans, they prefer to remain distant from us as they consider us a threat to their own safety.  However attacks do occur and there are several reasons why:

  • Shortage of natural prey in forest areas and other natural leopard habitats
  • Growing dependence on livestock because of lack of other food sources.  This can mean leopards attacking domestic animals both inside villages and in forest grazing areas
  • Hunting of dogs as a prey source meaning more likelihood of leopards spending time in and around human settlements
  • Opportunistic attacks on people especially children when leopards find them isolated and the big cats are driven by hunger
  • Encounter attacks where leopards are simply feeling threatened in their territory which can include instances where female leopards feel there are threats to their cubs

Risk of attacks increase if a leopard becomes habituated to human activity in ways that the big cat feels less threatened, has successfully attacked and maybe killed humans in the past and is driven by hunger.  In these situations a leopard may consider humans as natural prey which is not generally the case.

Ways to avoid leopard attacks

  • Constant awareness and communication regarding leopard activity in and around human settlements as well as in forest areas used by people for grazing and foraging. LEOPARD WATCH groups are recommended and include the use of online groups and SMS updates
  • Constant monitoring of children during the day when outside.  Children should not be left alone near vegetation particularly high growing farm crops and thick jungle areas.  Children should never walk alone to school or on other occasions especially when there is known leopard activity in the area
  • Depending on the understanding of leopard activity in each area children should not be outdoors alone from the moment the light starts to change in late afternoon and early evening.  The same applies in the mornings as change of light periods are when many attacks occur.  Should the need to children in the evening to use an outside toilet they must always be accompanied by an adult.
  • There have been instances where leopards have entered buildings and made attacks.  Any incident where a leopard has entered a building must be reported immediately to the appropriate authorities.  It is recommended that during evenings when temperatures are high and doors are left open while people are sleeping that solid screen doors are used to prevent leopards entering.
  • When there is need to enter forest areas where leopards are known to live there should always be awareness that an encounter with a leopard could occur.  Every encounter has the potential for conflict however if people remain calm, raise their voices, stand tall and wave their arms this will most likely result in the leopard leaving the encounter.  It is not recommended to climb trees as an escape because leopards are expert tree climbers.
  • If foraging is necessary in an area where leopards are known to live this should not be done alone with a group minimum of three recommended.  Because leopard attacks occur frequently when people are kneeling or below full height in any way it is important that foraging should be done in such a way that the group is in a circle space and facing outwards.  Keeping noise level high enough through talking or singing can help keep leopards away.
  • One of the most important ways to avoid leopard attacks is to prepare one’s surroundings in such a way that it is not possible for a leopard to hide nearby.  This includes thinning out vegetation near houses and being mindful of one’s surroundings when in the forest.  In addition, leopards given the opportunity to hunt livestock and dogs will often attack those animals and if the attack occurs close to people there can be harm to humans.  Keeping this in mind simple practices such as good livestock management (including strong night shelters) and keeping pet dogs inside at night reduce the likelihood of attacks.

The use of early warning systems (EWS) and deterrents are increasing options as technology improves (LeopardEye).  Information on these developments as well as further information on how to coexist with leopards is available at Mission Leopard – www.wildleopard.net

Again, stay positive, stay alert, be aware of your surroundings and leopard activity.  This will help reduce conflict and it will improve coexistence.