Bhubaneswar: The latest leopard census conducted by the Odisha State Forest Department shows a promising increase in the leopard population, which now stands at 696, up from 568 in 2022, according to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). This marks a 22 per cent growth, although the current figure still falls short of the 760 leopards recorded in 2018.
The State Forest Department carried out its first leopard census across 47 forest divisions, utilizing various indicators such as pugmarks, scrapes, scats, rakes, urine spray, vocalizations, and livestock depredation to assess leopard presence. The census report was released during an event celebrating State Wildlife Week.
This state-led census, which utilised camera traps and encompassed 47 forest divisions, exceeded the scope of previous surveys, including those conducted by the NTCA, which focused only on key areas like Similipal and Satkosia. The census revealed a significantly higher number of unique leopards.
Under the direction of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), the forest department identified between 284 and 296 individual leopards, a substantial increase from the fewer than 100 recorded in the NTCA’s previous survey. This demonstrates the comprehensiveness and effectiveness of the state-led initiative.
The census highlighted significant concentrations of leopards in specific regions of Odisha. The Mayurbhanj-Keonjhar area, which includes the Similipal Tiger Reserve, hosts the highest number with approximately 200 leopards.
Similipal’s vast landscape is a vital source population for leopards, promoting connectivity with neighboring protected areas such as Hadagarh Wildlife Sanctuary and Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary. This connectivity facilitates leopard dispersal and genetic exchange among these interconnected habitats.
The Satkosia landscape also shows potential for leopard conservation, boasting the second-highest leopard population in the state, with more than 150 leopards found in the Satkosia, Athmalik, and Boudh regions.
The Hirakud wildlife division, which includes Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, is another important habitat for leopards. During the census, officials documented 70 to 80 wild leopards in the Hirakud, Redhakhol, and Sambalpur areas of Sambalpur district.
In the Sunabeda and Khariar forest areas of Nuapada district, there are approximately 40 wild leopards.
Notably, 45 per cent of the leopard population in Odisha resides outside the protected area network, indicating significant leopard presence in the territorial forest divisions. Additionally, the rare melanistic leopard morph was recorded in three forest divisions, as stated in the census report.
Beginning next year, this camera trap-based All Odisha Leopard Estimation exercise will be synchronized with the annual All Odisha Tiger Estimation exercise, officials announced.
Despite this encouraging increase in leopard numbers, conservationists caution that poaching remains a significant threat to their survival in Odisha. Leopards are frequently targeted for their skins, bones, and other body parts, which are highly sought after in illegal wildlife markets.
The state’s dense forests, particularly in Similipal, Satkosia, and Mayurbhanj, present challenges for monitoring and enforcing laws against poaching activities.
