Leopard spurt in the city

The recent spurt of leopard straying into human habitats in Assam can be primarily attributed to loss of forest cover as the dominant male of the species usually drive out weaker ones during breeding season, according to an environmentalist.

"During the breeding season, the dominant males usually drive out the weaker ones out of their territory and as the size of their habitat has decreased, the leopard stray into human habitat," noted environmentalist and Director of Nature's Beckon Soumyadeep Dutta told PTI.

Altogether 15 leopards have strayed into human habitats, with Guwahati registering the highest of seven, during the last two months, and four of these were killed.

Dutta said the straying of the leopards would further increase during the monsoon season as the pregnant female would come out in search of a safe place to deliver cubs in fear of the male who usually attack the new borns