Habitat Loss and Fragmentation:
* Deforestation and land conversion: As forests are cleared for agriculture, logging, and development, leopards lose their vital habitat, leading to reduced prey availability and increased conflict with humans.
* Infrastructure development: Roads, dams, and other infrastructure projects fragment leopard habitats, isolating populations and hindering gene flow, making them more vulnerable to extinction.
Human-Wildlife Conflict:
* Prey depletion: Overhunting of prey species by humans reduces food sources for leopards, forcing them to rely on livestock and leading to conflict with humans.
* Retaliatory killing: Leopards that kill livestock are often retaliated against by humans, further reducing their populations.
Climate Change:
* Changes in prey availability: Climate change can affect the distribution and abundance of prey species, leading to food scarcity for leopards.
* Extreme weather events: Droughts and floods can disrupt leopard habitats and force them to compete for resources, increasing stress and mortality.
Poaching and Illegal Trade:
* Demand for leopard parts: Leopard skins, bones, and other body parts are used in traditional medicine and fashion, driving illegal poaching.
* Habitat degradation: Poaching often involves traps and snares, which can also harm other wildlife and further degrade habitats.
Disease:
* Emerging diseases: Leopards can be affected by diseases like canine distemper and rabies, which can spread through contact with domestic animals or other wild animals.
It's important to remember that these threats are interconnected and often work in synergy to put leopards at risk. Conservation efforts must address all these factors to ensure the long-term survival of this magnificent species.