International Leopard Day 2023

International Leopard Day 2023
 

News: A new portal dedicated to leopards (Panthera pardus) was launched by the Cape Leopard Trust (CLT) on International Leopard Day (May 3, 2023) to promote and celebrate leopards worldwide.
 

Background:
 The launch of the website internationalleopardday.org follows the Global Leopard Conference held in March.
 

About:
 The leopard is the smallest of the Big Cats (Of genus Panthera namely the Tiger, Lion, Jaguar, Leopard, and Snow Leopard)
 It is a nocturnal animal and Melanism is a common occurrence in leopards, wherein the entire skin of the animal is black in colour, including its spots. A melanistic leopard is often called black panther or jaguar.
 Habitat – Sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia, Indian subcontinent, South-east Asia.
 Population in India – Close to 13,000 with highest numbers seen in MP>Karnataka> Maharashtra (Status of Leopards in India, 2018)
 IUCN status – Vulnerable
 Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 - Schedule-I.
 CITES – Appendix I