Cub Survival in a Wild Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) Population

Area of Science:

• Wildlife Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Mammalogy

Background:

• Indian leopards (Panthera pardus fusca) face survival challenges, especially in early life stages.
• Fragmented habitats in India pose significant threats to leopard populations.
• Understanding cub survival is crucial for effective conservation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the survival rates of Indian leopard cubs during their first two years of life.
• To identify critical periods affecting cub survival in the Jhalana Reserve Forest (JRF).
• To inform conservation strategies for leopards in fragmented landscapes.

Main Methods:

• Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was employed.
• Data collected from trail cameras between 2018 and 2021 were utilized.
• Survival probabilities were estimated for the first and second year of life.

Main Results:

• Mean survival probability for leopard cubs in the first year was 0.739.
• Survival probability increased to 0.831 in the second year.
• The overall two-year survival rate for cubs was calculated at 0.618.

Conclusions:

• The first year of life is a critical and challenging period for Indian leopard cub survival.
• Improved survival in the second year suggests cubs overcome initial threats as they mature.
• Findings underscore the need for targeted conservation actions in fragmented habitats to bolster cub survival rates.