Intraspecific killing among Leopards (Panthera pardus) in Iran (Mammalia: Felidae). Issue 3 (3rd July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Farhadinia, Mohammad S.; Alinezhad, Hossein; Hadipour, Ehsan; Memarian, Iman; Ostrowski, Stephane; Hobeali, Kaveh; Dadashi-Jourdehi, Amirhossein; Johnson, Paul J.; Macdonald, David W.; Hunter, Luke T. B.
• Is Part Of: Zoology in the Middle East. Volume 64:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 189
• Page End: 194
• Publication Date: 2018-07-03
• Subjects: conspecific aggression -- intraspecific killing -- necropsy -- satellite telemetry; Zoology -- Middle East -- Periodicals; 591.95605
• DOI: 10.1080/09397140.2018.1462596
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0939-7140

Abstract

Abstract : Intraspecific aggression is one of the most common causes of death in leopards. Here, we report four cases of intraspecific killing amongst Persian Leopards ( Panthera pardus saxicolor ) in Iran. A young male leopard was found on 7 June 2008 which, according to camera trap images, had been killed by an adult male over a Red Deer ( Cervus elaphus) kill, with trauma to his neck in Dorfak No-Hunting Area. A young female that had been fitted with a satellite GPS collar on 6 December 2015 in Tandoureh National Park died on 29 January 2016 at a site where an Urial Sheep ( Ovis orientalis ) ram had been freshly killed. Necropsy results, footprints at the scene of death and camera trap footage all supported the deduction that the animal was killed by a larger female leopard at the kill site. On 13 January 2017, a young, partially eaten female leopard was found with double puncture on the side of her throat. Finally, a rehabilitated adult female fitted with a satellite GPS collar found on 19 December 2017 with a double puncture on her head with several trauma and haemorrhages on her back. These instances seem to be the first documented reports of intraspecific killing among free-ranging leopards in Asia.