Leopard Panthera pardus

The Leopard or Common Leopard is a large, powerful carnivore found across sub-Saharan Africa, parts of the Middle East, and Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia. It is known for its distinctive golden coat adorned with black rosettes and spots, which help it blend into its natural environment, such as forests, grasslands, and savannas. Leopards are highly adaptable and can thrive in a variety of habitats, from dense jungles to arid deserts.

Leopards are solitary, nocturnal hunters that primarily prey on ungulates, smaller mammals, birds, and occasionally reptiles. The species is known for its strength and stealth, stalking its prey before launching a rapid attack. Leopards are also known for their ability to adapt to human-dominated landscapes, sometimes coming into conflict with humans due to livestock predation.

IUCN Status: Vulnerable

IWLPA: Schedule I

CITES: Appendix I