Bhubaneswar, Oct 3: The first-ever Leopard Census Report has revealed that Odisha is home to 696 leopards. This census was conducted independently by the Odisha Forest Department.
In February 2022, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) reported that Odisha had 568 leopards. However, in 2018, the estimated population was recorded at 760.
Due to concerns about the accuracy of these figures, the state Forest Department decided to carry out its own comprehensive leopard census.
For this census, a total of 284 camera traps were strategically placed across various forest areas. The team analyzed photographs, pugmarks, and other tracking methods to gather data.
The findings from the Forest Department's census provide valuable insights into the leopard population in the state and are expected to inform future conservation efforts.
