Oleps’ Traditional Beliefs of the Clouded Leopard the Top Predator of Bhutan

The Oleps are the first human inhabitants of Bhutan and country’s last remaining hunter-gatherers. We conducted a preliminary study into meaning traditional Bhutanese saying tog-ge-teng-nang-gong; gong-ge-teng-nang-thee (Ole) tag-ge-ta-lay-gung; gung ge-ta-lay-theb (Dzongkha). Tag in Dzongkha refers to Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris) clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa). describes existence species, which people believe is leopard, that superior apex predator tiger. further elaborated as gung-gi-ta-lay-theb (Dzongkha), means skilled hunter leopard. used semi-structured interviews ask 19 explain this narrate beliefs embedded it. Participants related their views we explored how these might influence current conservation status leopards living Oleps’ locality. Our showed revered respected leopards, but they also viewed them other wild cats harmful livestock, some expressed desire acquire pelts or keep pets. Indigenous knowledge important consider development plan for leopards. recommend sayings stories be documented posterity conservationists continue engage dialog with better understand effects have on livelihoods.