International Leopard Day is celebrated every year on May 3 worldwide to raise awareness about protecting leopards (Panthera pardus), one of the most adaptable big cats, and to encourage peaceful coexistence between humans and leopards.
About Leopards (Panthera pardus):
i.Taxonomy and Distribution: Leopards belong to the genus Panthera, which also includes lions, tigers, jaguars, and snow leopards. They are found across sub-Saharan Africa, northeast Africa, Central Asia, India, and China.
ii.Habitat and Adaptability: Leopards are known for their adaptability, occupying the widest range of habitats among Old World cats. They thrive in various environments, including forests, grasslands, mountains, and even urban areas.
iii.Physical Characteristics: Each leopard has a unique pattern of spots known as rosettes, similar to human fingerprints. They are predominantly nocturnal, hunting under the cover of darkness.
Conservation Status:
i.Leopards are listed as “Vulnerable” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
- This classification is based on criteria A2cd, indicating a significant population decline due to habitat loss, prey depletion, and exploitation
ii.Despite their adaptability, leopards have lost approximately 75% of their historical distribution range.
Leopard Population in India
i.As per the “Status of Leopards in India, 2022” report released by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), India’s leopard population is estimated at 13,874 individuals.
ii.Madhya Pradesh (MP) has the largest leopard population in India, followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Conservation Efforts in India
i.In rural Maharashtra, initiatives have been undertaken to educate locals about peaceful coexistence with leopards.
ii.The Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre in Junnar, Maharashtra, managed by New Delhi(Delhi) based Wildlife SOS in collaboration with the Maharashtra Forest Department, has been instrumental in rescuing and rehabilitating leopards.
Threats to Leopard Survival:
i.Habitat Destruction: Urbanization, deforestation, and agricultural expansion have led to significant habitat loss and fragmentation, posing a severe threat to leopard populations.
ii.Prey Depletion: Overhunting and habitat degradation have resulted in the decline of prey species, affecting the food availability for leopards.
iii.Poaching and Illegal Trade: Leopards are targeted for their skins, bones, and other body parts, which are in demand in illegal wildlife trade markets.
Related Observance:
To enhance global awareness and conservation efforts for the critically endangered Arabian leopard, the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted Resolution 77/295 on June 12, 2023, officially designating February 10 as the International Day of the Arabian Leopard.
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA):
i.The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India (GoI).
ii.It was established in 2006 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 to strengthen and oversee tiger conservation efforts across India.
Chairperson – Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, MoEFCC
Headquarters – New Delhi (Delhi)
