LEOPARD                                       

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Why in news?

• The leopard population of North India is at highest risk among four animal populations identified as being the most vulnerable to extinction in the next 50 years if observed roadkill levels persist.

More about news:

• The leopard (Panthera pardus) faces an 83% increased risk of extinction in North India due to roadkill, according to a new international study that quantifies the threat posed by roads to the survival of animal populations around the world.
• Other populations found highly vulnerable include the lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus) and sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) in South India.
• For the North Indian leopard population, the study site covered Uttarakhand’s Rajaji National Park and Haridwar Conservation area.
• If at least 20% of the population has been killed by roadkill, the risk of local extinction can increase by 10%.

Significance of this study:

• Results of this study have implications for mammalian conservation and road mitigation worldwide.
• It bring attention to the need of thoughtful future road development and road mitigation.

About Indian Leopard:

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/roadkill-and-extinction-risk-for-leopards-in-north-india-7607039/