Indian leopard: Difference between revisions
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=== Poaching === |
=== Poaching === |
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[[File:Leopard fur-skins 3.JPG|thumb|Leopard skins]] |
[[File:Leopard fur-skins 3.JPG|thumb|Leopard skins]] |
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A significant immediate threat to wild leopard populations is the [[Wildlife trade#Illegal wildlife trade|illegal trade]] in poached skins and body parts between India, [[Nepal]] and [[China]]. The governments of these countries have failed to implement adequate enforcement response, and wildlife crime remained a low priority in terms of political commitment and investment for years. There are well-organised gangs of professional poachers, who move from place to place and set up camp in vulnerable areas. Skins are rough-cured in the field and handed over to dealers, who send them for further treatment to Indian [[tanning]] centres. Buyers choose the skins from dealers or tanneries and smuggle them through a complex interlinking network to markets outside India, mainly in China.<ref name="banks2006">Banks, D., Lawson, S., Wright, B. (eds.) (2006) ''Skinning the Cat: Crime and Politics of the Big Cat Skin Trade.'' Environmental Investigation Agency, Wildlife Protection Society of India. [http://www.wpsi-india.org/images/EIA-WPSI_Skinning_The_Cat.pdf pdf]</ref> Seized skins in [[Kathmandu]] confirm the city's role as a key staging point for illegal skins smuggled from India bound for Tibet and China.<ref name="banks2004">Banks, D. (2004) |
A significant immediate threat to wild leopard populations is the [[Wildlife trade#Illegal wildlife trade|illegal trade]] in poached skins and body parts between India, [[Nepal]] and [[China]]. The governments of these countries have failed to implement adequate enforcement response, and wildlife crime remained a low priority in terms of political commitment and investment for years. There are well-organised gangs of professional poachers, who move from place to place and set up camp in vulnerable areas. Skins are rough-cured in the field and handed over to dealers, who send them for further treatment to Indian [[tanning]] centres. Buyers choose the skins from dealers or tanneries and smuggle them through a complex interlinking network to markets outside India, mainly in China.<ref name="banks2006">Banks, D., Lawson, S., Wright, B. (eds.) (2006) ''Skinning the Cat: Crime and Politics of the Big Cat Skin Trade.'' Environmental Investigation Agency, Wildlife Protection Society of India. [http://www.wpsi-india.org/images/EIA-WPSI_Skinning_The_Cat.pdf pdf]</ref> Seized skins in [[Kathmandu]] confirm the city's role as a key staging point for illegal skins smuggled from India bound for Tibet and China.<ref name="banks2004">Banks, D. (2004) [http://www.eia-international.org/files/reports85-1.pdf ''The Tiger Skin Trail'']. Environmental Investigation Agency</ref> |
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It is likely that seizures represent a tiny fraction of the total illegal trade, with the majority of smuggled skins reaching their intended end market.<ref name="banks2006"/> Seizures revealed: |
It is likely that seizures represent a tiny fraction of the total illegal trade, with the majority of smuggled skins reaching their intended end market.<ref name="banks2006"/> Seizures revealed: |
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* in India: more than |
* in India: more than 2845 poached leopards between 1994 and October 2010;<ref name="banks2006"/><ref>Wildlife Trust of India (2008) [http://www.wti.org.in/news-archives/2008/07/29/leopard-skin-traders-arrested-in-up-eight-skins-recovered/ ''Leopard skin traders arrested in UP; eight skins recovered'']. Wildlife Trust of India – News, 29 July 2008</ref><ref>Ghosh, A. (2008) [http://www.wpsi-india.org/news/14092008.php ''27 leopard skins seized in 45 days'']. Wildlife Protection Society of India, 13 September 2008</ref><ref>The Hindu (2008) [http://www.wpsi-india.org/news/26092008.php ''Leopard skin, other wildlife products seized; five held'']. The Hindu News Update Service, 25 September 2008</ref><ref>Wildlife Protection Society of India (2009) [http://www.wpsi-india.org/news/18032009.php ''Leopard Skins Seized in Dehradun'']. Wildlife Protection Society of India, 18 March 2009</ref><ref>Express News Service (2010) [http://www.indianexpress.com/news/4-with-leopard-hide-held-role-of-politician-to-be-probed/695979/ ''4 with leopard hide held, role of politician to be probed''] The Indian Express Limited, Oct 12, 2010</ref> |
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* in Nepal: |
* in Nepal: 243 poached leopards between May 2002 and May 2008;<ref>Aryal, R.S. (2009) [http://assets.panda.org/downloads/final_cites_book.pdf ''Cites Implementation in Nepal and India'']. Second edition. WWF Nepal.</ref><ref name="banks2004" /><ref name="banks2006" /><ref>Yonzon, P. (2008) [http://www.nfwf.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=8995 ''Conservation of Tigers in Nepal 2007'']. Wildlife Conservation Nepal</ref><ref>Wildlife Trust of India (2008) [http://www.wti.org.in/news-archives/2008/05/12/cross-border-wildlife-traders-arrested-in-nepal-with-wti%E2%80%99s-help/ ''Cross-border wildlife traders arrested in Nepal with WTI’s help'']. Wildlife Trust of India – News, 12 May 2008</ref> |
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* in China and [[Tibet Autonomous Region|Tibet]]: more than 774 poached leopards between July 1999 and September 2005.<ref name="banks2006" /> |
* in China and [[Tibet Autonomous Region|Tibet]]: more than 774 poached leopards between July 1999 and September 2005.<ref name="banks2004" /><ref name="banks2006" /> |
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In May 2010, the [[Wildlife Protection Society of India]] estimated that in India at least 3,189 leopards were killed since 1994. For every [[Bengal tiger|tiger]] skin, there are at least seven leopard skins in the haul.<ref>Wildlife Protection Society of India (2010) ''Leopards Battling For Survival In India |
In May 2010, the [[Wildlife Protection Society of India]] estimated that in India at least 3,189 leopards were killed since 1994. For every [[Bengal tiger|tiger]] skin, there are at least seven leopard skins in the haul.<ref>Wildlife Protection Society of India (2010) [http://www.wpsi-india.org/news/18052010.php ''Leopards Battling For Survival In India'']. Wildlife Protection Society of India, 18 May 2010</ref> |
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=== Human–leopard conflict === |
=== Human–leopard conflict === |
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Revision as of 16:49, 23 March 2011
| Indian Leopard | |
|---|---|
| |
| Female Indian leopard from Bardia National Park, Nepal | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: | P. p. fusca
|
| Trinomial name | |
| Panthera pardus fusca Meyer, 1794
| |
The Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) is a leopard subspecies widely distributed on the Indian subcontinent. It is one of the five big cats found in India, apart from Asiatic lion, Bengal tiger, snow leopard and clouded leopard.
In 2008, the IUCN classified leopards as Near Threatened, stating that they may soon qualify for the Vulnerable status due to habitat loss and fragmentation, heavy poaching for the illegal trade of skins and body parts in Asia, and persecution due to conflict situations. They are becoming increasingly rare outside protected areas. The trend of the population is decreasing.[1]
Characteristics
In 1794, Friedrich Albrecht Anton Meyer wrote the first description of Felis fusca, in which he gave account of a panther-like cat from Bengal of about 85.5 cm (33.7 in), with strong legs and a long well-formed tail, head as big as a panther’s, broad muzzle, short ears and small, yellowish grey eyes, light grey ocular bulbs; black at first sight, but on closer examination dark brown with circular darker coloured spots, tinged pale red underneath.[2]
Distribution and habitat
On the Indian subcontinent, topographical barriers to the dispersal of this subspecies are the Indus River in the west, and the Himalayas in the north.[3] In the east, the lower course of the Brahmaputra and the Ganges Delta form natural barriers to the distribution of the Indo-Chinese leopard. Indian leopards are distributed all over India, in Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and parts of Pakistan. They inhabit tropical rain forests, dry deciduous forests, temperate forests and northern coniferous forests up to an altitude of 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) above sea level, bordering snow leopard habitat. But they do not inhabit the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans.
Ecology and behavior
In Nepal's Bardia National Park, home ranges of male leopards comprised about 48 km2 (19 sq mi), and of females about 17 km2 (6.6 sq mi); female home ranges decreased to 5 to 7 km2 (1.9 to 2.7 sq mi) when they had young cubs.[4]
Threats
Hunting for the illegal wildlife trade has the greatest potential to do maximum harm in minimal time.[5] Apart from poaching, Indian leopards are threatened by loss of habitat and fragmentation of formerly connected populations, various levels of human–leopard conflict in human–dominated landscapes, and competition with other predators.
Poaching
A significant immediate threat to wild leopard populations is the illegal trade in poached skins and body parts between India, Nepal and China. The governments of these countries have failed to implement adequate enforcement response, and wildlife crime remained a low priority in terms of political commitment and investment for years. There are well-organised gangs of professional poachers, who move from place to place and set up camp in vulnerable areas. Skins are rough-cured in the field and handed over to dealers, who send them for further treatment to Indian tanning centres. Buyers choose the skins from dealers or tanneries and smuggle them through a complex interlinking network to markets outside India, mainly in China.[6] Seized skins in Kathmandu confirm the city's role as a key staging point for illegal skins smuggled from India bound for Tibet and China.[7]
It is likely that seizures represent a tiny fraction of the total illegal trade, with the majority of smuggled skins reaching their intended end market.[6] Seizures revealed:
- in India: more than 2845 poached leopards between 1994 and October 2010;[6][8][9][10][11][12]
- in Nepal: 243 poached leopards between May 2002 and May 2008;[13][7][6][14][15]
- in China and Tibet: more than 774 poached leopards between July 1999 and September 2005.[7][6]
In May 2010, the Wildlife Protection Society of India estimated that in India at least 3,189 leopards were killed since 1994. For every tiger skin, there are at least seven leopard skins in the haul.[16]
Human–leopard conflict
Expansion of agriculturally used land, encroachment of humans and their livestock into protected areas are main factors contributing to habitat loss and decrease of wild prey. As a result, leopards approach human settlements, where they are tempted to prey on dogs, pigs and goats — domestic livestock, which constitutes an important part of their diet, if they live on the periphery of human habitations. Human–leopard conflict situations ensue, and have increased in recent years. In retaliation for attacks on livestock, leopards are shot, poisoned and trapped in brutal snares. The question remains: who is trespassing on whom?[17][18]
India's Forest Department is entitled to set up traps only in cases of a leopard having attacked humans. If only the presence of a crowd of people prevents the leopard from escaping, then the crowd has to be dispersed and the animal allowed to escape.[19]
Competition with other predators
Leopards share their habitats with Asiatic lions, Bengal tigers, Asiatic Black Bears and sloth bears, wolves, Striped hyenas and wild dogs. These animals may kill leopard cubs given a chance. Lions and tigers may even attack a full-grown leopard.
Leopards succeed in co-existing with tigers, but are not common in habitat where tiger density is high. They are sandwiched between prime tiger habitat, on the one side, and cultivated village land on the other.[20]
Conservation
Panthera pardus is listed in CITES Appendix I.[1]
Despite India and Nepal being contracting parties to CITES, national legislation of both countries does not incorporate and address the spirit and concerns of CITES. Trained human resources, basic facilities and effective networks for control of poaching and trade in wildlife are lacking.[21]
Frederick Walter Champion was one of the first in India who after World War I advocated for the conservation of leopards, condemned sport hunting and recognised their key role in the ecosystem.[22] Billy Arjan Singh championed their cause since the early 1970s.[23]
References
- ^ a b c Henschel, P., Hunter, L., Breitenmoser, U., Purchase, N., Packer, C., Khorozyan, I., Bauer, H., Marker, L., Sogbohossou, E., Breitenmoser-Würsten, C. (2008). "Panthera pardus". International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Retrieved April 2010.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Meyer, F. A. A. (1794) Über de la Metheries schwarzen Panther. Zoologische Annalen, Band I. Im Verlage des Industrie-Comptoirs, Weimar. Pp. 394–396
- ^ Miththapala, S., Seidensticker, J., O'Brien, S. J. (1996) Phylogeographic Subspecies Recognition in Leopards (P. pardus): Molecular Genetic Variation. Conservation Biology 10 (4): 1115–1132
- ^ Odden, M., Wegge, P. (2005). "Spacing and activity patterns of leopards Panthera pardus in the Royal Bardia National Park, Nepal" (PDF). Wildlife Biology. 11: 145–152. doi:10.2981/0909-6396(2005)11[145:SAAPOL]2.0.CO;2.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Nowell, K., Jackson, P. (1996) Wild Cats: status survey and conservation action plan. IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland. book preview
- ^ a b c d e Banks, D., Lawson, S., Wright, B. (eds.) (2006) Skinning the Cat: Crime and Politics of the Big Cat Skin Trade. Environmental Investigation Agency, Wildlife Protection Society of India. pdf
- ^ a b c Banks, D. (2004) The Tiger Skin Trail. Environmental Investigation Agency
- ^ Wildlife Trust of India (2008) Leopard skin traders arrested in UP; eight skins recovered. Wildlife Trust of India – News, 29 July 2008
- ^ Ghosh, A. (2008) 27 leopard skins seized in 45 days. Wildlife Protection Society of India, 13 September 2008
- ^ The Hindu (2008) Leopard skin, other wildlife products seized; five held. The Hindu News Update Service, 25 September 2008
- ^ Wildlife Protection Society of India (2009) Leopard Skins Seized in Dehradun. Wildlife Protection Society of India, 18 March 2009
- ^ Express News Service (2010) 4 with leopard hide held, role of politician to be probed The Indian Express Limited, Oct 12, 2010
- ^ Aryal, R.S. (2009) Cites Implementation in Nepal and India. Second edition. WWF Nepal.
- ^ Yonzon, P. (2008) Conservation of Tigers in Nepal 2007. Wildlife Conservation Nepal
- ^ Wildlife Trust of India (2008) Cross-border wildlife traders arrested in Nepal with WTI’s help. Wildlife Trust of India – News, 12 May 2008
- ^ Wildlife Protection Society of India (2010) Leopards Battling For Survival In India. Wildlife Protection Society of India, 18 May 2010
- ^ Sears, S. (2008) Mumbai Leopards: Killers or Victims? Wildlife Extra, 11 April 2008 online
- ^ Sears, S. (2009) The wild leopards of Oman and Nepal – And how to see them. Wildlife Extra, April 2009 online
- ^ Athreya, V., Belsare, A. (2007) Human - Leopard Conflict Management Guidelines. Kaati Trust, Pune, India. pdf
- ^ McDougal, C. (1988) Leopard and Tiger Interactions at Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 85: 609-610
- ^ Aryal, R. S. (2009). CITES : Implementation in Nepal and India, Law, Policy and Practice. Second edition (PDF). Bhrikuti Academic Publications, Kathmandu. ISBN 99933-673-3-8.
- ^ Champion, F.W. (1934) What is the Use of Leopards? In: "The Jungle in Sunlight and Shadow". Natraj Publishers, New Delhi (1996).
- ^ Singh, A. (1982). Prince of Cats. Jonathan Cape, London.
Further reading
- Athreya, V., Belsare, A. (2007) Human - Leopard Conflict Management Guidelines. Kaati Trust, Pune, India. download PDF
- Pandit, M. W.; Shivaji, S.; Singh L. (eds.) (2007) You Deserve, We Conserve: A Biotechnological Approach to Wildlife Conservation. I.K. International Publishing House, New Delhi. book preview
External links
