Leopard population in Odisha’s woods increases by 22% to 696 in two years.

• Odisha’s leopard population rose by 22% from 568 to 696 in two years between 2022 and 2024.
• The All Odisha Leopard Estimation 2024 estimates the population to range between 668 and 724, with a median count of 696.
• The current leopard population lags behind the 2018 census, which put Odisha’s big cats number at 760. In 2022, the population dropped to 568.
• The Forest Department conducted an estimation across 47 divisions for intensive State-level leopard monitoring.
• A State-wide field survey was conducted to identify the presence of leopards through various signs.
• The latest NTCA report shows the leopard population in India stands at 13,874, with a dwindling of 75-90% across the country over the last 120-200 years.
• The forest cover in Odisha accounts for 33.50% of the State’s total geographic area.
• Protected areas, such as Similipal Tiger Reserve and Satkosia landscape, have the highest leopard abundance.
• The Forest Department plans to synchronize the camera trap-based All Odisha Leopard Estimation exercise with the annual All Odisha Tiger Estimation exercise from next year.