International Leopard Day 2023

International Leopard Day 2023

Subject :Environment

Section: Species in news

Context: A new portal dedicated to leopards (Panthera pardus) was launched by the Cape Leopard Trust (CLT), an active predator conservation working group, on International Leopard Day (May 3, 2023) to promote and celebrate leopards worldwide.

More on the News:

• The launch of the website org follows the Global Leopard Conference held from March 13-19 by CLT, global wild cat organization Panthera and some other organizations.
• A statement by CLT noted that “despite being a well-known and charismatic species, the conference presentations and discussion groups overwhelmingly indicated that leopards are still greatly in need of awareness raising, support and investment — especially considering their ‘Vulnerable’ status as listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature”.
• In comparison to other large carnivores, leopards are quite adaptable with respect to their habitat needs and food requirements, being found in agro-pastoral landscapes, plantations and near human habitation (both rural and urban).
• Leopards are a species that have never been as well acknowledged and studied as, say, tigers. It is good that this website has been created. It means there will be more knowledge out there in the public domain.

Indian Leopard

• The Indian leopard is a leopard subspecies widely distributed on the Indian subcontinent.
• It is one of the big cats occurring on the Indian subcontinent, apart from the Asiatic lion, Bengal tiger, snow leopard and clouded leopard.
• Habitat – India, Nepal, Bhutan and parts of Pakistan.
• Leopard is a middle-sized wild cat has a slim and long body with short, sturdy legs and a long tail, helping the animal to keep balance when in the trees.
• Leopards are generally asocial animals, living solitarily and avoiding other leopards.
• The leopard is distinguished by its well-camouflaged fur, opportunistic hunting behavior, broad diet, strength, and its ability to adapt to a variety of habitats ranging from rainforest to steppe, including arid and montane areas.
• Conservation Status:
  • It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
  • Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): Appendix I
  • Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Schedule 1