Genetic identification of carnivore scat: implication of dietary information for human–carnivore conflict in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal

International audienceHuman-leopard conflict exists throughout the distribution range of leopards. The management of such interactions with humans is a high priority for the Nepalese authorities. To gain information on the extent of the human-leopard conflict in the region, we collected carnivore scat over an area of approximately 400 km2 in the lower belt of the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. We used species-specific polymerase chain reaction techniques to verify the identity of the scat and identified the diet using micro-histological analysis. Out of 83 scats, 36 were positively identified using molecular analysis as originating from common leopards and 47 were leopard-negative. Wild prey contributed more than 82% of the common leopard diet, with the barking deer comprising most of this (33.5%). Domestic livestock was ranked second, at 17% of the diet. Other carnivores consumed small mammals (rodents, 27%) and livestock (19%), the proportion of which was higher than that consumed by common leopards in this region, although this difference was not significant. Our results suggest that small carnivores are no less responsible than common leopards for livestock depredation in the study area