Two female leopards were released into the wild in the first week of October after being administered an immunocontraceptive drug under a pilot study by the Junnar Forest Division. The animals will be monitored to assess the safety and effectiveness of immunocontraception as a potential tool for managing leopard populations in high-density areas.
Approved by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the project aims to explore scientific approaches to wildlife population management and mitigate human-leopard conflict in areas such as Junnar, where leopards come into contact with human settlements.
Smita Rajhans, assistant conservator of forests, Junnar Forest Division, said, “The two female leopards were released into the wild 20 days ago. We will monitor their behaviour in their natural habitat over the next two-and-a-half years as part of the study. We are also looking to identify three more female leopards to be included in the project in due course. The Junnar Forest Division is conducting field operations with a focus on animal welfare, veterinary care and safety protocols. The Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (ICMR-NIRRCH), Mumbai, is collaborating on the study. Blood samples and reports will be analysed to track hormonal changes in the treated leopards and assess the drug’s long-term effects. The study aims to determine whether immunocontraception can be used safely and effectively to manage leopard populations in high-density areas. Its findings will help establish the feasibility of incorporating the method into long-term wildlife management strategies.
