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.