Silently pouncing on its prey and choking its windpipe, an extremely skilled predator roams in most of India. They have a higher hunting success rate than the mighty tiger. They prey on a large range of animals starting from hares to Nilgais. Here, I am mentioning the iconic spotted cat – the Indian Leopard.
The Indian leopard has strong legs and a long, well-formed tail, broad muzzle, short ears, small, yellowish-grey eyes, and light-grey ocular bulbs. Its coat is spotted and rosetted on a pale yellow to yellowish-brown or golden background, the spots fade toward the white underbelly and the insides and lower parts of the legs. Rosettes are most prominent on the back, flanks and hindquarters. The pattern of the rosettes is unique to each individual.
They are elusive, solitary, and largely nocturnal. It is known for its ability in climbing, and has been observed resting on tree branches during the day, dragging its kills up trees and hanging them there, and descending from trees headfirst. It is a powerful swimmer. It is very agile, and can run at over 58 kilometres per hour, leap over 6 m horizontally, and jump up to 3 m.
They are distributed in most of the Indian states and prefer to live in dry and moist deciduous forest, though they are highly adaptable.
What are the main threats faced by the Indian Leopard?
Leopards, known for their adaptability and ability to coexist with humans, are facing numerous threats to their survival in India. Shrinking forests, poaching, and human-animal conflicts are among the major challenges that jeopardise the future of these majestic felines. This article aims to explore the threats facing Indian leopards, including habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflicts. Additionally, we will delve into the conservation efforts and preventive measures undertaken to protect this endangered species and promote their coexistence with human communities.
Habitat Loss and Fragmentation
One of the primary threats to Indian leopards is the loss and fragmentation of their natural habitat. Rapid deforestation, urbanisation, and expanding agricultural activities are diminishing the forests and reducing the prey base for leopards. As their habitat shrinks, leopards are compelled to venture into human settlements in search of food and shelter. This not only increases the chances of conflicts with humans but also exposes them to fatal road accidents as they navigate through urban areas. The encroachment of human activities into leopard habitats further disrupts their natural behaviour and ecological balance.
Poaching
Poaching poses a significant threat to Indian leopards, despite their protected status under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. Leopard skins, bones, and other body parts are in demand for their supposed medicinal properties and as luxury items. The illegal wildlife trade operates in various parts of the country, driven by the lucrative market for leopard products. Unfortunately, the enforcement of laws against poaching has been inadequate, leading to a low conviction rate and continued poaching activities. The lack of attention and concern for leopard poaching compared to high-profile cases involving tigers and rhinos further exacerbates the problem.
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Human-leopard conflict is a significant challenge for conservation efforts. In rural areas, leopards often come into conflict with villagers due to predation on livestock or, in rare instances, attacks on humans. Retaliatory killings by villagers seeking to protect their livelihoods or as acts of revenge are a common occurrence. Moreover, leopard cubs born in sugarcane fields face vulnerability when their mothers run away in fear of humans during harvesting. These defenceless cubs become susceptible to being killed by humans or attacked by stray dogs. Falling into uncovered water wells also poses a risk to the lives of leopards.
How can the Indian Leopard be conserved?
Various organisations, government agencies, and NGOs are actively involved in conserving Indian leopards and addressing the threats they face. They have made significant contributions to protecting leopards from harm and rehabilitating them in the wild. These organisations work on awareness campaigns, education, and community engagement to foster a better understanding of leopards’ ecological importance and promote their coexistence with humans.
To mitigate human-leopard conflicts, measures such as enforcing stringent traffic laws near wildlife-sensitive areas, establishing wildlife corridors, and implementing early-warning systems can reduce the chances of fatal incidents involving leopards and humans. It is crucial to increase awareness among local communities about the importance of leopard conservation and provide them with tools and knowledge to prevent conflicts. Additionally, forest departments need to strengthen their efforts in patrolling, monitoring, and prosecuting offenders involved in poaching and illegal wildlife trade.
Conclusion
To conclude, it may seem like leopards are very abundant in India but there are many threats that they face and these threats don’t really come up in everyday news. It is important that an iconic species such as them gets the protection and respect that it deserves.
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Written by: Samarth Jain