Sanjay Gandhi National Park's leopard count rises to 41

Mumbai: Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) and the surrounding forest area has 41 leopards now, up from the figure of 35 in 2015, according to a report by wildlife expert Nikit Surve in collaboration with the SGNP.

The survey was conducted using camera trappings in the national park and peripheral areas of Aarey Milk Colony, IIT-Powai, Ghodbunder village, Nagla block, using 49 cameras. While the report highlighted more sightings than last year, it also said that leopards do not understand man-made territories.

Around 140 square kilometre area was covered in the survey. The Park was divided into two blocks; block 1 included 24 camera trap locations and block 2 included 25 locations. “Although we cannot determine for sure that there is an overall increase in leopard population, the exercise was more effective this time due to the higher number of cameras used. So, we can definitely say there has been an increase to some extent,” said Mr Surve.

Of the 41 leopards photographed this year, 14 matches were found in the database from 2015. The remaining 27 leopards were photographed for the first time. Also, six of these 41 leopards match were also photographed in 2011.

“The leopards from the earlier survey, which did not get photo captured, could be missing due to natural or accidental deaths or movement of leopards outside the park, about which we currently don’t have enough knowledge,” added Mr Surve.

Moreover, there were instances of leopards moving to areas outside their usual territories. “Wild animals do not understand man made boundaries and this is clearly evident in the case leopards of SGNP. These leopards visit human dominated areas in search of easy prey,” read the report.

It was observed during the survey when a particular leopard is removed from its territory, other leopard takes over that territory.