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Assessing the status of Endangered Leopards in Southeast Asia

The Critically Endangered Indochinese leopard (Panthera pardus delacouri) has disappeared from at least 95% of its historical range in Southeast Asia. Despite remaining populations being small and isolated, no data exists regarding their densities or factors that affect their habitat use. The Endangered Javan leopard (P. pardus melas), the most morphologically and genetically distinct leopard subspecies, is restricted to isolated populations throughout Java, but density estimates have only been determined from the western end of the island. A new paper led by Susana Rostro-García, a former Panther and DPhil student at WildCRU, sought to answer important conservation questions for these understudied subspecies in a region experiencing hyper-development. With help from fellow WildCRU researcher, Jan Kamler, and other researchers from across the region, the authors conducted camera surveys in remaining leopard populations at seven sites within four countries. Susana was able to calculate reliable density estimates for the two subspecies, and conduct occupancy analysis to determine the factors that influence their habitat use.

The study found that in northern sites (Cambodia, Thailand), leopards were mostly nocturnal and densities were low (<1 leopard/100 km²). Habitat use by leopards in this region was positively influenced most by higher vegetation productivity. In southern sites (Malaysia, Java), leopards were almost exclusively diurnal and densities were higher (1-5 leopard/100 km²). Habitat use in this region was positively influenced by preferred prey instead of vegetation. Humans had more of a negative influence on leopards in northern sites, as illegal human activities appeared to negatively affect the densities, habitat use, and activity patterns of leopards. The effects of humans differed between the northern and southern sites likely because of differences in poaching, which itself appeared to be related to proximity to major wildlife markets, religious beliefs, and socio-economic status.

The paper concludes that the overall prognosis of the leopard in Southeast Asia is becoming increasingly bleak, and only with immediate and effective management strategies that reduce poaching, particularly snaring, will the long-term conservation of the species be feasible in the region.

The paper can be accessed here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320724003720