Deity worship enables leopard conservation in Maharashtra Fri, Jul 09 2021 10:14:48 AM New Delhi, Jul 9 (IANS): A new study led by WCS-India documents how a big cat deity worshipped by indigenous people facilitates coexistence between humans and leopards. The study, published in a special issue of the journal Frontiers in Conservation Science: Human-Wildlife Dynamics, called understanding coexistence with wildlife, documents how the indigenous Warli people of Maharashtra worship 'Waghoba', a leopard or tiger deity to gain protection from leopards, and how they have lived side-by-side with them for centuries (formerly tigers, too). The researchers have identified over 150 shrines dedicated to worshipping Waghoba. The researchers note that while there are still negative interactions with leopards such as livestock depredation, they are likely to be more accepted under the institution of Waghoba.