- 26 May 2025
Peak Ridge Forest Corridor: 2020 Conservation Report by the Wilderness & Wildlife Conservation Trust
Recent monitoring indicates a relatively stable leopard population in the area, despite challenges. As of mid-2020, approximately 10-15 leopards were utilizing the ridge and surrounding tea estate areas.
This included 4 males, 5 females, and 2 cubs. Long-term monitoring of these leopards is being conducted using remote camera stations. However, monitoring efforts faced setbacks due to the theft of four remote camera stations, including a permanent one. This theft compromised leopard monitoring data.
A significant challenge during this period was an increase in snaring incidents in the Central Highlands, largely attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. While these incidents did not occur within the Peak Ridge Forest Corridor itself, a leopard was shot in close proximity, highlighting the ongoing threat to wildlife.
To address these challenges, several actions are being taken:
Larger signs are being erected near camera stations to deter theft.
Awareness campaigns are ongoing, including the distribution of anti-snaring pamphlets and the display of legal directives regarding snares in estates.

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