Scientists find 75-90 % decline in Leopard population in India
PTI, Feb 7, 2020, 5:32 PM IST
Bengaluru: Leopard population has declined 75-90 per cent in India, according to a study which has suggested that the carnivore demand similar conservation attention like tigers in the country.
The study was conducted by scientists from the Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS India) and the Wildlife Institute of India.
The scientists have used genetic data from leopards sampled across the Indian subcontinent to investigate population structure and patterns of demographic decline, a CWS India press release said.
They investigated the demographic history of each identified subpopulations and compared genetic decline analyses with countrywide local extinction probabilities.
The study was conducted by Supriya Bhatt, Suvankar Biswas, Dr Bivash Pandav, Dr Samrat Mondol (all from Wildlife Institute of India) and Dr Krithi K Karanth (Centre for Wildlife Studies).
They collected faecal samples and identified 56 unique individuals using a panel of 13 microsatellite markers, and merged this data with already available 143 leopard individuals. The study revealed population structure and recent decline in leopards.
“Coalescent simulations with microsatellite loci revealed, across India, a possibly human-induced 7590 per cent population decline between approximately 120200 years ago,” it said.
The population-specific estimates of genetic decline are in concordance with ecological estimates of local extinction probabilities in these subpopulations, it was stated.
“Our results are both interesting and alarming- using two different methodological approaches we have established that even one most adaptable big cats in India have experienced a decline in population structure and distribution,” Krithi K Karanth, Chief Conservation Scientist at Bengaluru-based CWS, said.
The study suggested that leopards demand similar conservation attention like tigers in India.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
Mukhtar Ansari was subjected to slow poisoning in jail: Son
Tech can play big role in agri, education, health: PM Modi in interaction with Bill Gates
PM Modi recalls profound sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Good Friday
8-year-old girl’s body found in lake in MP’s Jabalpur district, irate villagers torch liquor shop
Jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari dies of cardiac arrest; Section 144 imposed in UP
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
Mukhtar Ansari was subjected to slow poisoning in jail: Son
Cranes arriving to start removing wreckage from deadly Baltimore bridge collapse
Tech can play big role in agri, education, health: PM Modi in interaction with Bill Gates
PM Modi recalls profound sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Good Friday
Tumakur triple murder case; Mortal remains of victims reach Belthangady