Abstract
A study on the occurrence and conservation measures of the Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus Meyer, 1794) was carried out between July 2012 and March 2014, through direct visual observation and sign survey. This study was an opportunistic finding during biodiversity survey of the Inani Reserved Forest in Cox’s Bazar District of Bangladesh. The Indian leopard is a less known carnivore species, which has no recent confirmed record in Bangladesh. Direct observation in one place and the pugmark of leopards were identified from three places of the Inani Reserved Forest. Maximum and minimum length, and width of the pugmark were 8.7cm and 8.2cm, and 8.7cm and 7.1cm respectively; range of length of heel pad was 5.5cm to 5.0cm. There was only one sighting record and roaring/growling like haw-a-haw-ahaw howling was also heard once during the field visits. Illegal encroachments, fire, fuel and timber wood collections, beetle-leaf vineyard, and wildlife poaching are major identified threats for the conservation of the biodiversity of Inani Reserved Forest.
Highlights
The presence of Indian Leopard was confirmed through direct observation and tracing of pugmarks
Pugmarks were seen in three places: Bairuntali, Garjania and Jummapara of the Inani Reserved Forest (Image 1)
Fresh pugmarks were traced beside hill streams at Bairuntali (21.18370556 N & 92.06805556 E) and Garjania (21.21778056 N & 92.06722222 E) and old pugmarks were traced at Jummapara (21.18367778N & 92.06805556E)
Summary
Inani Reserved Forest is the southern-most forested area of Bangladesh which is situated about 10km far away from Myanmar border (Fig. 1). It includes the six forest beat offices under Inani and Ukhia forest ranges. This forest is controlled and managed by Cox’s Bazar South Forest Division. Garjan (Dipterocarpus spp.), Bailam Anisoptera scaphula and Civit Swintonia floribunda are the major tree species of this forest belt. Most of these tree species have been exterminated but a few trees are still found at the periphery of the forest. Other important tree species are Shegun Tectona grandis, Lohakat Xylia dolabiformis, Hargoza Dillenia pentagyna, Chalta Dillenia indica, Chickrassi Chickrassia tabularis, Jam Syzyzium spp., Uri-am Mangifera longipes, Figs Ficus spp., Jarul Lagerstoemia speciosa, Bahera Terminalia bellirica, Pitraj Ammora wallichii, Batna Quercus sp., Gutgutia Protium serratum, Koroi Albizia spp., Moase Brownlowia elata, Chapalish Artocarpus chama, Kanchon Vadi Aldrovanda vesiculosa and Shimul Salmalia malabarica
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