India, June 19 -- A new study warns that Gavli Dhangar pastoralists near Maharashtra's Sahyadri Tiger Reserve are facing rising livestock losses to leopards, dholes and tigers.

Researchers say predation rates in some hamlets are close to, or have crossed, the point at which herds can naturally replace themselves.

Scientists warn that continued losses could force families to abandon pastoralism, migrate for labour or increase the risk of retaliatory poisoning and poaching.

The findings challenge common assumptions that human-wildlife conflict is driven mainly by rising livestock numbers or poor animal shelters.

A long-standing relationship between pastoral communities and large carnivores in Maharashtra's Western Ghats may be close to ...