The Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) is a subspecies of leopard native to the Indian subcontinent.
It is one of the big cats found in the forests of India, along with the Bengal Tiger, Asiatic Lion, Snow leopard, and clouded leopard.
The Indian leopard is solitary and active at night, skilled in climbing trees, swimming, running at speeds of 58 km/h, and jumping up to 3 meters vertically.
Where tiger populations are high, leopards are less commonly found as tigers become the apex predator, driving leopards to locations with fewer tigers.
13
In some regions, such as Gujarat's Gir National Park, the Indian leopard cohabits with the Asiatic lion, and in the Himalayas, it exists alongside the snow leopard at lower altitudes.
The Indian leopard population is listed as 'Vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List and faces threats such as poaching, habitat loss, and human-leopard conflict.
Poaching is the most prominent threat to the Indian leopard population, often found in illegal tiger skin hauls.
14
Conservation efforts are underway to protect the Indian leopard population, including the establishment of rescue and rehabilitation centers and raising awareness among humans.
Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of recorded leopards, with 3,421 individuals, accounting for about 26% of the total estimated leopard population in the country.
COMMENTS