149 Leopard Deaths in Madhya Pradesh in 14 Months; Accidents Top Cause

Bhopal: A total of 149 leopards have died in Madhya Pradesh over a 14-month period starting January last year, with accidents emerging as the leading cause of fatalities, according to data obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) query.

The data shows that nearly 31% of the deaths were due to road accidents, including several incidents on highways. Natural causes such as old age and disease accounted for 24%, while 21% of the deaths were attributed to conflicts among wildlife.

Poaching and retaliatory killings made up around 14% of the fatalities. Additionally, some leopards died due to electrocution, while a small number were killed in snares. In about 9% of cases, the cause of death could not be determined.

According to the ‘Status of Leopards in India 2022’ report, Madhya Pradesh has the highest leopard population in the country, estimated at 3,907. This marks a significant increase from 3,421 recorded in 2018.

Forest officials stated that efforts are underway to reduce leopard mortality. Measures include creating animal passages along roads, installing warning signage, and increasing patrolling in vulnerable areas.

Officials also noted that leopards often live close to human settlements, increasing their exposure to risks such as vehicle collisions and electrocution.

Wildlife activist Ajay Dube described the figures as alarming, calling for stronger implementation of wildlife protection protocols and safer corridors. He alleged that lack of accountability in cases involving infrastructure-related deaths is contributing to the problem.

Forest authorities, however, maintained that the mortality rate—around 4% of the estimated population—is within acceptable limits for big cats. They added that natural attrition is expected in wildlife populations.