INDIAN
LEOPARD POPULATION - ENVIRONMENT
News:
Leopard numbers show 8%
rise from 2018 to 2022
What's
in the news?
●
India’s leopard numbers rose by 8% from
12,852 in 2018 to 13,874 in 2022, according to a report made public by the
Environment Ministry.
Report:
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The survey covered 20 States of India, and focussed on about 70% of the animals’
expected habitat, which are India’s tiger reserves and protected forest areas.
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Unlike tigers, which are largely confined
to forest reserves, leopards are far more adaptable and tend to be found in
significant numbers, in villages and, sometimes, even in cities.
●
They are also known to prey on cattle and thus be involved in
conflict, resulting in higher mortality.
Key
takeaways:
●
Forest surveyors cover nearly 6.5 lakh km
looking for carnivore signs across 20 States.
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Human-wildlife
conflict is the likely reason for decline in the big cat
population by 22% in Uttarakhand, says report.
●
Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and West Bengal
saw a collective 150% rise to 349 animals.
State-wise
Population:
Indian
Leopard:
●
The Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) is a leopard subspecies widely distributed
on the Indian subcontinent.
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These are the smallest of the big cats known for their ability to adapt to a
variety of habitats.
Habitat:
●
In India, the leopard is found in all forest types, from tropical
rainforests to temperate deciduous and alpine coniferous forests.
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It is also found in dry scrubs and
grasslands, the only exception being deserts and the mangroves of Sundarbans.
Distribution:
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As for region-wise distribution, the
highest number of 8,071 leopards are found in central India and the Eastern
Ghats.
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In the northeast hills, there are just 141
leopards.
Characteristics:
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Melanism
is a common occurrence in leopards. The entire skin of the animal can be black
in colour, including its spots. A melanistic leopard is often called Black Panther or jaguar.
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Leopards are nocturnal animals which means they hunt by night.
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Food
Habits: It feeds on smaller species of herbivores found in
its range, such as the chital, hog deer, and wild boar.
Threats:
●
Fragmentation
of forests as well as the quality of forests
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Human-Leopard
conflict: Leopards are not like tigers who don’t like humans
and therefore don’t venture out. Leopards are far more adaptable and when loss
of habitat takes place, they move closer to human settlements and that’s when
the conflict takes place.
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Poaching
of Leopards
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Depletion of natural prey among others.
Conservation
Status:
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IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
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CITES: Appendix I
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Wildlife (Protection) Act,1972: Schedule I