Context:
The Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) is suspected of having declined by 24.5 percent over the last three generations, according to the latest assessment by the IUCN.
Key highlights:
- IUCN Assessment: The Indian Leopard is classified as Near Threatened, according to the latest International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assessment.
Other Global Subspecies Declines:
- Middle East, East and Southeast Asia, and Africa: Significant range declines have been observed in these regions over the past three generations, equivalent to 22.3 years.
- North Africa: Leopards have completely disappeared from certain regions in North Africa, highlighting the severity of their decline.
Factors Contributing to the Decline:
- Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: Unregulated development, deforestation, and encroachment on leopard habitats are primary threats. Fragmented habitats isolate leopard populations, limiting their ability to find prey and mates.
- Human-Wildlife Conflict: As human settlements expand, encounters between leopards and humans become more frequent. This can lead to retaliatory killings of leopards by communities experiencing livestock depredation.
- Poaching: While not as prevalent as for some other big cats, poaching for body parts used in traditional medicine poses a threat. Additionally, leopards are sometimes killed in snares set for wild boars.
- Prey Base Depletion: Overhunting of wild ungulates, the natural prey of leopards, reduces their food availability and forces them to seek alternative sources, potentially increasing human-wildlife conflict.
Strategies for Conservation:
- Habitat Protection and Corridor Development: Establishing protected areas and connecting them through wildlife corridors is crucial for leopard population recovery.
- Community Engagement: Raising awareness about the importance of leopards and promoting coexistence strategies can minimize human-wildlife conflict.
- Stricter Anti-Poaching Measures: Strengthening law enforcement and fostering community participation in wildlife protection can deter poaching activities.
- Sustainable Prey Base Management: Implementing stricter hunting regulations and promoting alternative livelihoods for communities dependent on wild ungulate meat will ensure a healthy prey base for leopards.
Global Conservation Efforts and Positive Trends:
- Java: Enhanced survey efforts in Java have identified 22 subpopulations of leopards, indicating a positive trend.
- Caucasus: Leopard populations have been maintained or have increased due to improved survey methods and expanded conservation efforts.
- Russian Far East and North East China: The transboundary population of leopards and their range have increased significantly due to the creation of large national parks with effective protection measures.
IUCN
- The IUCN is an international organization that work in the field of conservation of the world’s flora and fauna.
- It established the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 1964.