Leopards captured by cameras installed in various forests of Odisha. | Photo credit: SPECIAL AGREEMENT

A good news for wildlife lovers is that the leopard population in Odisha increased by 22% from 568 to 696 in two years between 2022 and 2024, even as concerns about poaching and illegal trade of leopard skins in the state remain.

The All Odisha Leopard Estimation 2024 released on Thursday (October 3, 2024) estimates the state's leopard population at 668 to 724, with an average count of 696. However, the current leopard population falls short of the 2018 census conducted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority ( NTCA) put the number of big cats in Odisha at 760. In 2022, the population fell to 568.

The forest department had conducted assessments in 47 forest areas aimed at significantly intensifying leopard monitoring at the state level. A nationwide field survey was also conducted to identify the presence of leopards through various signs including pug tracks, scratches, droppings, raking, urine splashes, vocalizations and predation of livestock.

Camera trap

“Sites with confirmed direct or indirect detections of leopards were monitored using camera traps to estimate the minimum number of unique adult leopards based on their distinctive rosette patterns. Identification of leopards using camera traps is a scientifically accepted method and is used in assessing the leopard population at the national level,” the assessment report said.

Susant Nanda, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife), said: “The big cat population is healthy. In 2022, the estimation was carried out in a limited area while we had carried out the estimation in a much larger area by capturing leopards in camera traps. We have been able to spot many melanistic leopards in our forests.”

According to the latest NTCA report, the leopard population in India stands at 13,874 animals. The leopard population has declined by 75-90% nationwide over the past 120-200 years. According to the Wildlife Protection Society of India, around 1,485 leopards have been poached in the country in the last 10 years.

Threat of poaching

According to the forest and environment department of the state assembly, as many as 59 leopard skins were seized from wildlife smugglers between 2018 and 2023. Likewise, a special task force (STF) of the state police has seized 57 leopard skins from poachers and dealers of wildlife items from 2019 to 2024. A total of 116 leopards were killed and skins removed. Wildlife experts said that in dozens of cases, leopard skins had reached their destination undetected and unnoticed.

The forest cover of Odisha accounts for 33.50% of the total geographical area of ​​the state. The state government said that Odisha has one national park, 19 wildlife sanctuaries and two wildlife sanctuaries.

The latest population estimation report said, “Protected areas were found to be the regions with the highest density of leopards.” Similipal Tiger Reserve has the largest leopard population in Odisha. Due to its extensive size, the Similipal landscape plays a crucial role as a source population for leopards in the surrounding region. It is connected to Hadagarh Wildlife Sanctuary and Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, which is essential for the spread of leopards from Similipal to these other sanctuaries.”

The report further said that the Satkosia landscape has proven to be another promising location for leopards and has the second highest leopard population in the state. Likewise, Hirakud Wildlife Division, which includes Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, is another important leopard habitat and has a significant leopard population.

“Up to 45% of the leopard population in Odisha is outside the protected area network and hence there is a significant leopard presence in the territorial forest areas. “The rare melanistic leopard morph was recorded from three forest areas,” it said.

“From next year, this camera trap based All Odisha Leopard Estimation exercise will be synchronized with the annual All Odisha Tiger Estimation exercise. This comprehensive exercise will collect data on both big cat occupancy, prey base estimation, vegetation structure and human disturbance in the state,” the forest department said.