干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

In this communication, we report range extension and persistent movement of the vulnerable leopard (Panthera pardus) towards the Thar Desert, west of its established range from 2010 to 2018. Our study documents 14 cases of the presence of male leopards in five districts and 55.7-413.7 km away from the known distribution limit. The species movement could be due to lower competition, food and water availability, increased agricultural and forest coverage in the Indira Gandhi Command area.