International Journal of
Biodiversity and Conservation

  • Abbreviation: Int. J. Biodivers. Conserv.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-243X
  • DOI: 10.5897/IJBC
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 679

Full Length Research Paper

Incidences of fetal deaths in rescued female leopards (Panthera-pardus) of Shivalik Hills in Northern India

Vijay Kumar
  • Vijay Kumar
  • Monkey Sterilization Centre, DNP Gopalpur- Zoo, Distt ? Kangra, H. P, PIN 176059, India.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 11 October 2014
  •  Accepted: 28 November 2014
  •  Published: 28 February 2015

Abstract

Twelve adult female leopards trapped in snare traps were rescued from Shivalik Hills areas of Himachal Pradesh. Of the 12 female leopards, 33.33% (4) leopards were found pregnant while others 66.67% (8) female leopards were non pregnant. Of the eight dead female leopards, 62.5% of trapped female leopards died because of body gripper trap injuries while in 37.5% of female leopards the cause of mortality was feet trap injuries. The maximum of the trapping that is 50% (6) were in the winter season followed by rainy (33.33%) (4) and summer (25%)  (3) Seasons. Out of 12 female adult rescued leopards, four female leopards could survived and others eight succumbed to trapping injuries. There was 100% mortality of all the fetuses in rescued free range female leopards. The fetuses were 1-3 in numbers in their uterus. Three leopards were in mid stage of the gestation while one leopard was in its early stage gestation. 
 
Key words:  Trapping, fetal deaths, Leopards (Panthera pardus), Shivalik Hills.