Leopard Spotted Foraging in Trash, Sparking Calls for Habitat Protection

On 2025-10-18T18:26:10+00:00, a disturbing video showcasing the impact of human encroachment on wildlife went viral on social media. The 17-second clip, shared by Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Parveen Kaswan, depicts a leopard desperately searching for food in a pile of trash near Mount Abu in Rajasthan.

Leopards are known for their strength, stealth, and adaptability as apex predators, but the video paints a heartbreaking picture of the challenges they face due to the loss of their natural habitats. In the footage, the big cat can be seen rummaging through plastic, dirt, and other waste, highlighting the dire situation these animals are forced to confront.

As the video gained traction online, social media users reacted with outrage, demanding strict penalties for those who litter and calling for the government to take immediate action to protect the habitats of wild animals. One user commented, "Very sad. One thing is clear. We will not change our civic sense voluntarily. It has to be enforced with huge penalties." Another added, "Their habitat is taken away from them in the guise of development, forests are being destroyed. The environmental damage is immense but it does not matter to the government."

According to the latest data, India's leopard population stood at 13,874 as of last year, with a 1.08% annual growth recorded between 2018 and 2022. The state of Madhya Pradesh is home to the largest population of leopards in the country, followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.