By Seif Gracien Hasingizwimana/Kigali, Rwanda,
A new study has shown that there could be between 45,000 and 143,000 leopards in the wild in Sub-Saharan Africa, although these figures differ from previous studies that provided different numbers.
Wildlife conservation researchers from Nottingham Trent University in the UK state that although the current number of leopards might be smaller than previously thought, Africa could have the capacity to host up to 176,000 leopards in their historical habitats, provided appropriate protection measures are taken.
The researchers pointed out that these numbers are not an exact census of all leopards, as most data was collected from protected areas where wildlife is healthier compared to human-inhabited or agricultural areas.
The study showed that leopard populations significantly decrease in areas with high human activity, especially where there is livestock, nearby villages, and widespread agriculture. They were highly visible in areas with abundant prey species, particularly those eaten by leopards, such as ungulates and wild boars.
The study also raised serious concerns regarding trophy hunting of leopards, showing that official hunting quotas in more than half of the assessed countries exceed sustainable levels.
Researchers state that a small number of adult male leopards, between 2,800 and 8,700, live outside protected areas in countries that permit this form of hunting.
The researchers note that this study provides a framework for identifying where conservation efforts should be focused, including habitat protection, increasing prey populations, reducing human-leopard conflicts, and reintroducing leopards where necessary.
Antonio Uzal, an associate professor in wildlife conservation at Nottingham Trent University, said that the lack of reliable data makes it difficult for governments and environmental conservation organizations to formulate effective plans to protect and increase leopard populations.
He stated that this study provides practical guidance to assist in leopard conservation and to establish specific targets depending on the areas where assistance is identified as needed.
Julien Fattebert, a co-author of the study and researcher at Vilnius University in Lithuania and Nelson Mandela University in South Africa, emphasized the urgent need to revise leopard hunting quotas based on new data to prevent the decline of these animals.
The researchers state that in non-protected areas where leopard population sizes remain unclear, priority should be given to monitoring them using camera trapping and restoring their habitats.
Kalpapran Patowary, the lead author of the study and a PhD student at Clemson University in the United States, said the main objective was to understand the status of leopards across different regions of Sub-Saharan Africa.
He mentioned that time and resources should be directed toward areas where leopards might still exist but are underrepresented in research, particularly in West African countries.
