Dietary shift of the common leopard <i>Panthera pardus</i> in and around Bani Wildlife Sanctuary, western Himalayas: implications for conservation and human–wildlife conflict

Understanding the dietary patterns of apex predator like the common leopard Panthera pardus is essential for evaluating their ecological role, particularly in landscapes where human–wildlife conflict is prevalent. In this context, this study investigates the seasonal diet composition of the common leopard in and around the Bani Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected area in the north‐western Himalayan region of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The scat samples (n = 128) were collected from November 2020 to December 2022 and analyzed using microscopic hair examination of prey species. After comparing with reference slides, the results revealed 18 distinct prey species, including wild ungulates, meso‐mammals, small mammals, birds, and domestic livestock in the diet of the common leopard, with significant seasonal variations in prey consumption. Wild ungulates were predominantly consumed during the winter (33.97%), while livestock predation peaked in the summer (47.21%). The dietary niche breadth of the common leopard was broader in the autumn, reflecting greater prey diversity, while it narrowed in the summer due to increased reliance on livestock. Biomass analysis further confirmed the significance of both wild and domestic ungulates in the leopard diet, with domestic goat Capra hircus (12.3%), goral Naemorhedus goral (11%), and domestic sheep Ovis aries (10.8%) contributing the highest proportions. The study highlights the adaptability of leopards in exploiting diverse prey species but also underscores the growing human–leopard conflict, driven by increased livestock availability. These findings emphasize the need for targeted conservation strategies, including habitat restoration, community engagement, and compensation schemes, to mitigate human–leopard conflict and ensure the long‐term survival of the common leopard in the region.