Leopards in Peril: Rising Threat from Poaching and Illegal Trade
As global efforts to protect tigers intensify, poachers are increasingly turning their attention to leopards. With tigers under stringent legal protection and more difficult to locate, leopards are now being targeted as a more accessible and less-protected alternative in the illegal wildlife trade.
Key Issues
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Surging Illegal Trade:
According to CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), approximately 12,000 leopards and their body parts were trafficked globally between 2020 and 2023. These parts are often used as substitutes for tiger parts in traditional medicine, luxury products, and decorative trophies—especially in Asia. -
Massive Habitat Loss:
Leopards have vanished from 75% of their historical range across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, primarily due to poaching, habitat fragmentation, and expanding human settlements. -
Mislabelling and Fraud:
In the illegal market, leopard parts are frequently misrepresented as tiger parts to exploit demand, particularly in traditional medicine markets where tiger bones and skins are highly sought after. -
Role of Captive Breeding and Weak Regulation:
In South Africa, weak enforcement and a controversial captive breeding industry have contributed to the laundering of big cat parts—both tigers and leopards—into international illegal trade routes.
Leopard Population in India (2024)
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Total Population: 13,874 leopards
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Annual Growth Rate (since 2018): 1.08%
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States with Highest Populations:
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Madhya Pradesh
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Maharashtra
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Karnataka
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Tamil Nadu
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Conservation Status
| Organization / Legislation | Status |
|---|---|
| IUCN Red List | Vulnerable |
| CITES | Appendix I |
| Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (India) | Schedule I |
Despite these protections, enforcement challenges and market demand continue to endanger the species.
Conclusion
The growing pressure on leopard populations from poaching and illegal trade underscores an urgent need for stronger global enforcement, public awareness, and community-based conservation efforts. As tigers become harder to exploit, leopards are increasingly becoming unintended victims—posing a grave threat to their survival across continents.
