Introduction: In India, because of the continuum between the forests and rural areas, Leopards are the largest carnivore that lives on the fringes of human habitations, resulting in human-leopard interactions. JNR, a unique forest-island encircled by Jaipur City, hosts a small population of leopards in an area of 29 km2. Two villages, Bhomiyaji and Kho Nagoriyan, are of special interest because residents are predominantly cattle farmers, and where most human-leopard interactions are recorded. In spite of the anthropogenic activities in the area, the leopards are non-homophobic. It is, therefore, imperative to understand the attitude of the villagers towards their "neighbors" and their continued role in the conservation of this predator.
Methodology: We conducted a survey of the residents (N = 480; 382 male, 98 female) closest to JNR. We questioned the villagers their perceptions of the leopard and its existence, its importance in the food chain, recent efforts of the forest department to protect/develop the sanctuary, and about conserving the ecosystem and the leopard in particular.
Main Findings: The residents are minimally educated (95%), unskilled (94%), and from low income (87.29%) groups. Most (92.71%) villagers have encountered leopards, at times from very close quarters (72.29%), were fully aware of its role in the ecosystem (82.39%), stressed the necessity of conserving the leopard to save the forests (99.79%), but few (10.41%) supported the efforts to wall in the reserve in order to prevent human encroachment. Interestingly, the villagers love and respect the leopards in spite of the occasional loss of livestock. Villagers have dug waterholes and never retaliate following losses incurred. The majority are Jains, who believe in non-violence. All (100%) of the villagers are aware of the benefits of ecotourism. Some inhabitants (1.45%) are indifferent to the existence of the leopard as it does not affect their day to day activities. A minority (7.9%) expressed their negative feeling towards the recent conservation effort.
Principal Conclusions and implications for Field: We conclude that the awareness, curiosity, proactive response towards conservation, and positive attitude of the villagers play a vital role in the success of the continued human-leopard coexistence.