MP: 149 Leopards Dead in 14 Months, RTI Reveals

A total of 149 leopards have died in Madhya Pradesh over a 14-month period that began in January 2025. Data obtained through a Right to Information query reveals that accidents were the primary cause of these deaths.

Analysis of the RTI response indicates that 31% of the fatalities occurred due to road accidents, with 19 deaths specifically on highways. Natural causes, such as old age and disease, accounted for 24% of the deaths, while inter-wildlife conflicts led to 21% of the fatalities.

Poaching and retaliatory killings were responsible for approximately 14% of the leopard deaths. Additionally, eight animals died from electrocution, and two from snares. The cause of death for about 9% of the leopards could not be determined.

Forest officials are implementing measures to reduce leopard mortality, including animal passages on roads, signage, and regular patrolling. They emphasize that the approximately 4% death rate out of a population of 3,907 leopards is within an acceptable range. However, activists criticize the state's handling of leopard protection, citing a failure to implement protocols and a lack of safe corridors.