Maharashtra Pench Tiger Reserve Records First Leopard Cat Sighting in Central India

In Maharashtra’s Pench, known for its association with Mowgli and previous surprising wildlife discoveries like Eurasian otters and endemic lesser floricans, another remarkable find has occurred. The tiger reserve recently documented the presence of a leopard cat, marking its first-ever record in Central India.

Prabhu Nath Shukla, the deputy director of Pench, announced the discovery, stating that it was uncovered during the ongoing camera trapping survey near Narahar village within the reserve. The location of the leopard cat sighting was within a seasonal stream in the area.

India is home to a rich diversity of felid species, with a total of 15 carnivorous mammals found within its borders. This impressive number represents more than 40% of the global felid diversity. Among these felid species, India boasts the highest number of small felids globally, with 10 such species inhabiting its varied landscapes. Despite their ecological and socio-economic significance, particularly in controlling rodent populations, there is a notable lack of comprehensive data on these smaller felids.

Recent discoveries in the field of wildlife biology have shed light on the distribution of the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) in India, marking significant progress in understanding the country’s felid diversity. According to experts, the leopard cat, known for its adaptive flexibility, is widely distributed across regions like North-East India, Northern Himalayan states, West Bengal, Odisha, and pockets of the Western Ghats. However, its absence in Central India had been previously noted until a recent finding in the Pench area.

The discovery of a grid-bearing leopard cat in compartment number 663 of Narhar beat within the Mansinghdeo Wildlife Sanctuary’s buffer zone has sparked excitement among wildlife researchers. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the species’ distribution and highlights the importance of studying and documenting lesser-known felid species for effective conservation efforts.

Wildlife biologist Aditya Joshi emphasized the significance of this discovery, noting the lack of earlier records of leopard cats in Central India’s dry-deciduous forests, especially in well-monitored areas like Pench. Joshi highlighted the species’ arboreal nature and pointed to habitat suitability models suggesting potential leopard cat habitats near Kanha Tiger Reserve.

The newfound presence of the leopard cat in Central India underscores the need for further targeted surveys and research to map the distribution of these lesser-known felid species accurately. This discovery opens doors for more comprehensive studies and conservation initiatives aimed at preserving India’s diverse felid population and their habitats.