- Leopard population estimation (5th cycle) was carried out by the National Tiger Conservation Authority and Wildlife Institute of India in collaboration with State Forest Departments.
- It was in collaboration with State Forest Departments, as part of the quadrennial “Monitoring of Tiger, Co-predators, prey and their Habitat-2022”.
- It focused on forested habitats within 18 tiger states, covering four major tiger conservation landscapes.
- Non-forested habitats, arid, and high Himalayas above 2000 meters were not sampled for leopards.
- Key findings
- Leopard population is estimated at 13,874 with a 1.08% growth in terms of sampled area compared to 2018.
- Central India and Eastern Ghats registered the largest growth, Shivaliks and Gangetic plains registered decline
- State with highest population: Madhya Pradesh followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
- Tiger reserve with highest population: Nagarajunasagar Srisailam followed by Panna, and Satpura.
- About Indian Leopards (Panthera pardus fusca)
- Protection Status:
- IUCN- Vulnerable
- CITES- Appendix I
- Schedule 1 of Wildlife protection act 1972
- Habitat: India, Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of Pakistan, excluding mangrove forests and deserts.
- Characteristics:
- Solitary and Nocturnal in nature.
- skilled climbers, and rest on the branches of trees.
- Protection Status: