Sweet spot: Gujarat leopard population set to cross 2,000

AHMEDABAD: In what comes as a delightful bit of news as well as a warning against a likely increase in incidences of human-animal conflict, leopard count in Gujarat has grown by over 50% in the past six years, according to the latest estimate.
While official data is yet to be declared, the 2023 leopard census pegs the population of the big cats in the state at 2,200 against 1,395 in 2016, with an error margin of 10%, revealed forest department sources.
Around 40% of the leopards sighted were found near the revenue areas closer to human habitations, said forest department sources.
The leopard population in the state had grown by 20% in the 2016 census, compared to the 2011 count. The latest estimate is in sync with India's official leopard count of 12,852 - an increase of 63% compared to 7,910 in 2014.
State forest officials said that leopards were spotted in almost all the districts of the state with Saurashtra region accounting for the highest population.
Of the 1,395 leopards counted in 2016, around 450 were in Junagadh and Gir-Somnath; the latest census pegs this number at around 750 - making it 34% of the leopard population in the state.
The count was highest in the areas around Gir, mainly because of the presence of lions in the region.
The wild felines are usually found to be scavenging for leftovers of animals hunted by the lions. Besides, their preferred food sources are ungulates which are present in abundance in the region.
The forest official also said that areas in South Gujarat accounted for 25% of the estimated count since these have large sugarcane fields that are havens for the predators seeking food and shelter. In the past two years, 370 leopards have died in the state according to the data tabled in the state assembly - 179 in 2021 and 191 in 2022.