The Maharashtra Government has recently announced its decision to implement a sterilization program for Leopards to sustainably manage their populations. Furthermore, the forest department of Gujarat is considering a similar proposal, especially around the Gir National Park.
Reasons for Sterilizing Leopards and Concerns Raised
The leopard sterilization initiative is a response to increases in leopard-human conflicts, and burgeon in the leopard population. The year 2019-20 saw 58 human casualties due to leopards in Maharashtra alone, more than half the total of 97 deaths recorded during 2010-18. The sterilization program aims to address these issues whilst adhering to conservation laws and regulations.
However, some concerns about this program include potential stress on the leopards and the effectiveness of sterilization, necessitating comprehensive scientific research and development of veterinary skills. Traditional methods pose various challenges and alternative contraception methods may need to be explored. There’s also a need for resolving conflicts and enhancing community support for these conservation efforts.
Key Information About Leopards
The leopard, scientifically named Panthera pardus, is the smallest among the Big Cats, which includes the Tiger, Lion, Jaguar, Leopard, and Snow Leopard of the Panthera genus. Known for its adaptability, this nocturnal creature thrives in a variety of habitats. Its diet largely consists of smaller species of herbivores like the chital, hog deer, and wild boar.
Interestingly, melanism, a condition wherein the skin turns black including the animal’s spots, is common among leopards. Melanistic leopards are often referred to as Black Panthers and are wrongly perceived to be a separate species.
Leopards dwell in sub-Saharan Africa, Western and Central Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast and East Asia. The Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) is a subspecies widely found in India.
Leopard Population in India
The report ‘Status of Leopards in India, 2018’, published by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, cites a 60% rise in leopard count in India since 2014. From approximately 8,000 in 2014, the population has risen to 12,852. Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of leopards (3,421), followed by Karnataka (1,783) and Maharashtra (1,690).
Threats to Leopards
Predominant threats to leopards include poaching for illegal trade of skins and body parts, habitat loss, fragmentation, and human-leopard conflict.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed leopards as vulnerable on its Red List. Under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), Leopards are categorized under Appendix-I and are also protected under Schedule-I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.