What are the main causes of leopard deaths in Maharashtra?

The primary causes of leopard deaths in Maharashtra include natural causes, accidents like vehicle collisions and falls into wells, and poaching.

Which regions in Maharashtra report the highest leopard fatalities?

The Nashik and Pune forest circles in Maharashtra account for nearly half of all recorded leopard deaths.

What are the conservation concerns for leopards in Maharashtra?

Conservation concerns include the high number of accidental deaths due to human infrastructure and an increasing number of unexplained fatalities requiring further investigation.

Home / Environment / Leopard Deaths Surge: Accidents Claim Nearly Half of Fatalities

Leopard Deaths Surge: Accidents Claim Nearly Half of Fatalities

14 Mar

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Summary

Maharashtra lost 675 leopards between early 2021 and February 2026.
Accidents, including vehicle collisions and well drownings, caused 247 deaths.
Nashik and Pune forest regions recorded nearly half of all leopard fatalities.

Leopard Deaths Surge: Accidents Claim Nearly Half of Fatalities

Maharashtra has witnessed a significant decline in its leopard population, with 675 deaths recorded between January 2021 and February 8, 2026. The primary causes of mortality were attributed to natural causes, accidents, and poaching. Accidents, particularly vehicle collisions and falls into wells, accounted for a substantial portion of these deaths.

The data, obtained via an RTI query, highlights that nearly half of the leopard fatalities occurred in the Nashik and Pune forest circles. This concentration underscores the intense human-leopard interface in western Maharashtra, driven by urban expansion and agricultural activities overlapping with leopard habitats.

While poaching remains a concern with 30 recorded deaths, including electrocution and hunting, the number of deaths from accidents is significantly higher. Furthermore, 45 deaths remain under 'other or unknown causes,' prompting calls for more rigorous investigation to rule out concealed wildlife crime. Conservationists emphasize the urgent need for wildlife-friendly infrastructure, such as wildlife crossings and speed restrictions, to mitigate accidental deaths.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.