LARGE ANIMAL ATTACKS - Medicine for Mountaineering and Other Wilderness Activities - page 475

Leopards
Mostleopardsarenowfoundinsub-SaharanAfrica,mostofteninhumidforesthabitats,
but fragmented populations exist in India, Southeast Asia, and China. Despite the loss of
range and continual declines in population, their numbers are greater than the other big
cats, all of which face more acute conservation concerns.
Males normally growtoaweight between 90and200pounds,andfemales are about 50
percent smaller than males. Most leopards are spotted, but in a few the spots run together
and they appear black, a condition referred to as melanism. These animals have been re-
ferred to as black panthers, but they are the same species.
Leopardskillabout400individualseachyear.Anumberofthepersonsarekilledbythe
attack, but many die afterward from infection. Most healthy leopards prefer wild prey, but
cats who are old, disabled, or struggling with a shortage of regular prey often turn to hunt-
ing people and may become habituated to it. In two extreme cases, both in India, a leopard
dubbed “the Leopard of Rudraprayag” is claimed to have killed over 125 people, and the
infamous beast called Panar Leopard killed over 400 after being injured by a poacher and
rendered unable to hunt normal prey.
Man-eating leopards are bold by feline standards and enter human settlements for prey
more commonly than their lion and tiger counterparts. One well-known hunter, who had
experience with many man-eating leopards, described them as far more threatening than
tigers. Because of the leopard's smaller size it can conceal itself in places impossible for
a tiger, its need for water is far less, and in devilish cunning and daring, coupled with
an uncanny sense of self-preservation and the ability to disappear stealthily when danger
threatens, it has no equal.
Jaguars
JaguarsrangeprimarilyinMexico,CentralAmerica,andSouthAmerica,butinfrequent
sightings have been recorded in Texas, Arizona, southern California, and New Mexico.
These animals vary significantly in size: Weights are normally in the range of 125 to 210
pounds, but males as large as 350 pounds—roughly matching a tigress or lioness—or as
smallas80poundshavebeenrecorded.Femalesaretypically10to20percentsmallerthan
males.
These animals were threatened with extinction as the result of hunting for their pelts.
They are now being protected in many areas but are rarely seen. Attacks on humans occur
but are uncommon. Jaguars have extremely strong jaws and often grab prey—including
humans—by the head, which they can crush. They also seize the necks of prey and break
them like other large cats.
Elephants