In Odisha, 696 leopards have been found in different forest areas as per the first-ever state-sponsored leopard census.
- The All Odisha Leopard Estimation 2024, released on October 3, 2024, estimates the State’s leopard population to range between 668 and 724, with a median count of 696.
- However, the present leopard population lags behind the 2018 census carried out by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), which put Odisha’s big cats number at 760.
- In 2022, the population dropped to 568. About 200 leopards are located in the Similipal Tiger Reserve and surrounding areas, which is the highest in the state.
- The Satkosia landscape turned out to be another promising site for these animals, boasting the second-highest leopard population in the state at 150.
- During the census, 70 to 80 wild leopards were found in the Hirakud, Redhakhol and Sambalpur areas in Sambalpur district, followed by 40 in the Sunabeda and Khariar forests in Nuapada district.
- Odisha’s forest cover accounts for 33.50% of the State’s total geographic area.
- The State government said there is one national park, 19 wildlife sanctuaries and two conservation reserves in Odisha.
- As per the latest NTCA report, the leopard population in India stands at 13,874. The leopard population has dwindled by 75-90% across the country over the last 120-200 years.
- According to Wildlife Protection Society of India, around 1,485 leopards were poached in the country in the last 10 years.
