Karnataka to get leopard rehabilitation centre

Subject: Environment

Section : Species in news

Concept:

The current practice of translocating leopards from conflict area, in vogue since many years, will be disbanded in due course as Karnataka is set to establish multiple rehabilitation centres to house leopards and tigers captured from conflict zones.
At least 100 to 150 leopards are being captured in the State every year and hence rehabilitation centres – each with a capacity to house 200 to 250 leopards – have to be built every alternate year till the problem subsides in conflict zones, said Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife).

About Indian Leopard

The Indian leopard (Pantherapardusfusca) 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.
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
Habitat – India, Nepal, Bhutan and parts of Pakistan.