Cattle selectivity by leopards suggests ways to mitigate human-leopard conflict

Addressing widespread livestock losses to carnivores requires information on which livestock categories are preferentially selected. We analyzed an individual-based database of cattle grazing in forest (n = 932) and having been killed (n = 70) by leopards (Panthera pardus) in the Hyrcanian forest, Iran. We calculated Jacobs’ selectivity index for cattle age, sex and coloration across four scales: the study area as a whole, three sites, nine villages and 60 cattle owners. Naturally colored cattle were significantly preferred by leopards at all scales in comparison to black and black-and-white cattle and there was also a preference for males and juveniles at the study area level. More research is needed to see whether cattle losses would decrease if the share of naturally colored individuals in local holdings was reduced and males and juveniles had limited access to forest. We conclude that phenotypic and biological characteristics of livestock can affect depredation and appeal for more research in this direction, particularly within the predator-prey framework.