Knowledge and perceptions of tigers and leopards by local and indigenous people of Terai, India

Human–wildlife conflict (HWC) threatens both biodiversity conservation and human well-being, particularly in densely populated landscapes shared with large carnivores. While material losses and safety risks are well documented, culturally shaped variation in people’s knowledge, emotions, and perceptions remains underexplored. This study examined differences between indigenous Tharu communities and non-indigenous residents in the Dudhwa–Pilibhit landscape of northern India, where interactions with Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) and Indian leopards (Panthera pardus fusca) are frequent. Using a comparative social survey, we assessed species-specific knowledge, emotional responses, perceived risk, and attitudes toward carnivore management. Tharu respondents demonstrated significantly higher ecological knowledge and more neutral or positive perceptions of both species, reflecting long-term coexistence and intergenerational local ecological knowledge. Although they reported fear, they perceived carnivores as a less persistent concern. In contrast, non-Tharu respondents showed lower knowledge, more negative attitudes, and greater risk preoccupation. Our findings highlight that coexistence is shaped by culturally embedded interpretations of risk. Conservation strategies must therefore integrate indigenous knowledge and historically grounded coexistence practices to support equitable and effective carnivore management.