Editing Leopard (section)

== Distribution and habitat ==
[[File:David Raju Leopard0827.jpg|thumb|Leopard in a tree in India]]
[[File:Edgar Grooming (49611421486).jpg|thumb|An [[Amur leopard]] at the [[Cleveland Metroparks Zoo]] [[personal grooming|grooming himself]]]]
The leopard has the largest distribution of all wild cats, occurring widely in Africa and Asia, although populations are fragmented and declining.<ref name=IUCN/> It inhabits foremost [[savanna]] and [[rainforest]], and areas where [[grassland]]s, [[woodland]]s and [[riparian forest]]s remain largely undisturbed.<ref name=CAP/> It also persists in urban environments, if it is not persecuted, has sufficient prey and patches of vegetation for shelter during the day.<ref name=Powell2021>{{Cite journal |last1=Powell |first1=J. |last2=Axmacher |first2=J. C. |last3=Linnell |first3=J. D.C. |last4=Durant |first4=S. M. |title=Diverse locations and a long history: Historical context for urban Leopards (''Panthera pardus'') in the early anthropocene From Seoul, Korea |year=2021 |doi=10.3389/fcosc.2021.765911 |journal=Frontiers in Conservation Science |volume=2 |page=765911 |doi-access=free |name-list-style=amp |hdl=11250/2999764 |hdl-access=free}}</ref>

The leopard's range in [[West Africa]] is estimated to have drastically declined by 95%, and in the [[Sahara desert]] by 97%.<ref name=Jacobson2016>{{cite journal |last1=Jacobson|first1=A. P. |last2=Gerngross |first2=P. |last3=Lemeris |first3=J. R. Jr.|last4=Schoonover |first4=R. F. |name-list-style=amp |last5=Anco |first5=C. |last6=Breitenmoser-Würsten |first6=C. |last7=Durant |first7=S. M. |last8=Farhadinia |first8=M. S. |last9=Henschel |first9=P. |last10=Kamler |first10=J. F. |last11=Laguardia |first11=A. |last12=Rostro-García |first12=S. |last13=Stein |first13=A. B. |last14=Dollar |first14=L. |title=Leopard (''Panthera pardus'') status, distribution, and the research efforts across its range |journal=PeerJ |date=2016 |volume=4 |pages=e1974 |doi=10.7717/peerj.1974 |pmid=27168983 |pmc=4861552 |doi-access=free}}</ref> In [[sub-Saharan Africa]], it is still numerous and surviving in marginal habitats where other large cats have disappeared.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Pirie |first1=T. J. |last2=Thomas |first2=R. L. |last3=Fellowes |first3=M. D. E. |name-list-style=amp |date=2017 |title=Increasing game prices may alter farmers' behaviours towards leopards (''Panthera pardus'') and other carnivores in South Africa |page=e3369 |journal=PeerJ |volume=5 |doi=10.7717/peerj.3369|pmid=28584709 |pmc=5452990 |doi-access=free}}</ref> In southeastern [[Egypt]], an individual found killed in 2017 was the first sighting of the leopard in this area in 65 years.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Soultan, A. |last2=Attum, O. |last3=Hamada, A. |last4=Hatab, E. B. |last5=Ahmed, S. E. |last6=Eisa, A. |last7=Al Sharif, I. |last8=Nagy, A. |name-list-style=amp |author9=Shohdi, W. |date=2017 |title=Recent observation for leopard ''Panthera pardus'' in Egypt |journal=Mammalia |volume=81 |issue=1 |pages=115–117 |doi=10.1515/mammalia-2015-0089 |s2cid=90676105}}</ref>

In [[West Asia]], the leopard inhabits the areas of southern and southeastern [[Anatolia]].<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Toyran, K. |title=Noteworthy record of ''Panthera pardus'' in Turkey (Carnivora: Felidae) |journal=Fresenius Environmental Bulletin |year=2018 |volume=27 |issue=11 |pages=7348–7353}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author1=Karataş, A. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Bulut, Ş. |author3=Akbaba, B. |year=2021 |title=Camera trap records confirm the survival of the Leopard (''Panthera pardus'' L., 1758) in eastern Turkey (Mammalia: Felidae) |journal=Zoology in the Middle East |volume= 67 |issue= 3|pages=198–205 |s2cid=235564429 |doi=10.1080/09397140.2021.1924419}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |title=New records of the living Anatolian Leopard (''Panthera pardus tulliana'' L., 1758) in the Mediterranean region of Turkey |author1=Ünal, Y. |author2=Uysal, H. |author3=Koca, A. |author4=Zenbilci, M. |journal=Applied Ecology and Environmental Research |volume=21 |pages=1043–1059 |issue=2 |doi=10.15666/aeer/2102_10431059 |date=2023 |doi-access=free |name-list-style=amp}}</ref>

Leopard populations in the [[Arabian Peninsula]] are small and fragmented.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Spalton, J. A. |author2=Al Hikmani, H. M. |name-list-style=amp |year=2006 |title=The Leopard in the Arabian Peninsula – Distribution and subspecies status |journal=Cat News |issue=Special Issue 1 |pages=4–8 |url=http://catsg.org/fileadmin/filesharing/5.Cat_News/5.3._Special_Issues/5.3.1._SI_1/Spalton___Al_Hikmani_2006_Leopard_in_the_Arabian_Peninsula.pdf }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Judas |first1=J. |last2=Paillat |first2=P. |last3=Khoja |first3=A. |last4=Boug |first4=A. |name-list-style=amp |year=2006 |title=Status of the Arabian leopard in Saudi Arabia |journal=Cat News |issue=Special Issue 1 |pages=11–19 |url=http://www.catsg.org/fileadmin/filesharing/3.Conservation_Center/3.2._Status_Reports/leopard/Judas_et_al_2006_Status_of_the_Arabian_Leopard_in_Saudi_Arabia.pdf  }}</ref><ref name=AlJ06>{{cite journal |last1=Al Jumaily, M. |last2=Mallon, D. P. |last3=Nasher, A. K. |last4=Thowabeh, N. |name-list-style=amp |year=2006 |title=Status Report on Arabian Leopard in Yemen |journal=Cat News |issue=Special Issue 1 |pages=20–25 |url=http://catsg.org/fileadmin/filesharing/5.Cat_News/5.3._Special_Issues/5.3.1._SI_1/Jumaily_et_al_2006_Status_Report_on_Arabian_Leopard_in_Yemen.pdf}}</ref>

In the [[Indian subcontinent]], the leopard is still relatively abundant, with greater numbers than those of other ''Panthera'' species.<ref name=IUCN/> Some leopard populations in [[India]] live quite close to human settlements and even in semi-developed areas. Although adaptable to human disturbances, leopards require healthy prey populations and appropriate vegetative cover for hunting for prolonged survival and thus rarely linger in heavily developed areas. Due to the leopard's stealth, people often remain unaware that it lives in nearby areas.<ref name=Arthreya>{{cite web |author=Arthreya, V. |year=2012 |title=Living with Leopards Outside Protected Areas in India |url=http://www.conservationindia.org/articles/living-with-leopards-outside-protected-areas-in-india |publisher=Conservation India |access-date=2012-12-10 |archive-date=2012-12-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121221051725/http://www.conservationindia.org/articles/living-with-leopards-outside-protected-areas-in-india |url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2020, the leopard population within forested habitats in India's tiger range landscapes was estimated at 12,172 to 13,535 individuals. Surveyed landscapes included elevations below {{cvt|2600|m}}  in the [[Shivalik Hills]] and [[Gangetic plains]], [[Central India]] and [[Eastern Ghats]], [[Western Ghats]], the [[Brahmaputra River]] basin and hills in [[Northeast India]].<ref>{{cite report |author=Jhala, Y.V. |author-link=Yadvendradev Vikramsinh Jhala |author2=Qureshi, Q. |author3=Yadav, S.P. |name-list-style=amp |year=2020 |title=Status of leopards in India, 2018. Technical Report TR/2020/16 |location=New Delhi and Dehradun |publisher=National Tiger Conservation Authority, Government of India and Wildlife Institute of India}}</ref>
In Nepal's [[Kanchenjunga Conservation Area]], a melanistic leopard was photographed at an elevation of {{cvt|4300|m}} by a camera trap in May 2012.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Thapa, K. |author2=Pradhan, N. M. B. |author3=Berker, J. |author4=Dhakal, M. |author5=Bhandari, A. R. |author6=Gurung, G. S. |author7=Rai, D. P. |author8=Thapa, G. J. |author9=Shrestha, S. |author10=Singh, G. R. |name-list-style=amp |year=2013 |title=High elevation record of a leopard cat in the Kangchenjunga Conservation Area, Nepal |journal=Cat News |issue=58 |pages=26–27}}</ref>

In Sri Lanka, leopards were recorded in [[Yala National Park]] and in unprotected forest patches, [[tea estate]]s, grasslands, home gardens, [[Pinus|pine]] and [[eucalyptus]] plantations.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Kittle, A. M. |author2=Watson, A. C. |author3=Chanaka Kumara, P. H. |author4=Nimalka Sanjeewani, H. K. |name-list-style=amp |year=2014 |title=Status and distribution of the leopard in the central hills of Sri Lanka |journal=Cat News |issue=56 |pages=28−31}}</ref><ref name=Kittle_al2014>{{cite journal |last1=Kittle |first1=A. M. |last2=Watson |first2=A. C. |last3=Kumara |first3=P. H. S. C. |last4=Sandanayake |first4=S. D. K. C. |last5=Sanjeewani |first5=H. K. N. |last6=Fernando |first6=T. S. P. |name-list-style=amp |year=2014 |title=Notes on the diet and habitat selection of the Sri Lankan Leopard ''Panthera pardus kotiya'' (Mammalia: Felidae) in the central highlands of Sri Lanka |journal=Journal of Threatened Taxa |volume=6 |issue=9 |pages=6214–6221 |doi=10.11609/JoTT.o3731.6214-21 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

In Myanmar, leopards were recorded for the first time by camera traps in the hill forests of Myanmar's [[Karen State]].<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Saw Sha Bwe Moo |author2=Froese, G.Z.L. |author3=Gray, T.N.E. |name-list-style=amp |year=2017 |title=First structured camera-trap surveys in Karen State, Myanmar, reveal high diversity of globally threatened mammals |journal=Oryx |volume=52 |issue=3 |pages=537−543 |doi=10.1017/S0030605316001113 |doi-access=free}}</ref> The Northern [[Tenasserim Hills|Tenasserim]] Forest Complex in southern Myanmar is considered a leopard stronghold. In Thailand, leopards are present in the [[Western Forest Complex]], [[Kaeng Krachan National Park|Kaeng Krachan]]-[[Kui Buri National Park|Kui Buri]], [[Khlong Saeng Wildlife Sanctuary|Khlong Saeng]]-[[Khao Sok National Park|Khao Sok]] protected area complexes and in [[Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary]] bordering Malaysia. In [[Peninsular Malaysia]], leopards are present in [[Belum-Temengor]], [[Taman Negara National Park|Taman Negara]] and [[Endau-Rompin National Park]]s.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Rostro-García |first1=S. |last2=Kamler |first2 =J. F. |last3=Ash |first3=E. |last4=Clements |first4=G. R. |last5=Gibson |first5=L. |last6=Lynam |first6=A. J. |last7=McEwin |first7=R. |last8=Naing |first8=H. |last9=Paglia |first9=S. |name-list-style=amp |year=2016 |title=Endangered leopards: Range collapse of the Indochinese leopard (''Panthera pardus delacouri'') in Southeast Asia |journal=Biological Conservation |volume=201 |pages=293–300 |doi=10.1016/j.biocon.2016.07.001|bibcode=2016BCons.201..293R |hdl=10722/232870 |hdl-access=free}}</ref>
In Laos, leopards were recorded in [[Nam Et-Phou Louey]] National Biodiversity Conservation Area and Nam Kan National Protected Area.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Johnson, A. |author2=Vongkhamheng, C. |name-list-style=amp |author3=Hedemark, M. |author4=Saithongdam, T. |year=2006 |title=Effects of human–carnivore conflict on tiger (''Panthera tigris'') and prey populations in Lao PDR |journal=Animal Conservation |volume=9 |issue=4 |pages=421–430 |doi=10.1111/j.1469-1795.2006.00049.x |bibcode=2006AnCon...9..421J |s2cid=73637721 |url=http://faculty.nelson.wisc.edu/treves/pubs/Arlyne/animal_cons.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810101758/http://faculty.nelson.wisc.edu/treves/pubs/Arlyne/animal_cons.pdf |archive-date=2017-08-10 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Robichaud, W. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Insua-Cao |author3=Sisomphane, P. C. |author4=Chounnavanh, S. |year=2010 |title=A scoping mission to Nam Kan National Protected Area, Lao PDR |publisher=Fauna & Flora International |chapter=Appendix 4 |pages=33−42 |chapter-url=https://studylib.net/doc/18697244/a-scoping-mission-to-nam-kan-national-protected-area--lao... |access-date=2019-04-07 |archive-date=2019-04-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407154414/https://studylib.net/doc/18697244/a-scoping-mission-to-nam-kan-national-protected-area--lao... |url-status=live}}</ref>
In Cambodia, leopards inhabit deciduous [[dipterocarp forest]] in [[Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary]] and [[Mondulkiri Protected Forest]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gray |first1=T. N. |last2=Phan |first2=C. |name-list-style=amp |year=2011 |title=Habitat preferences and activity patterns of the larger mammal community in Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary, Cambodia |journal=The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology |volume=59 |issue=2 |pages=311−318 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228843849 |access-date=2019-04-16 |archive-date=2024-05-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505150044/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228843849_Habitat_preferences_and_activity_patterns_of_the_larger_mammal_community_in_Phnom_Prich_Wildlife_Sanctuary_Cambodia |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gray |first1=T. N. E. |year=2013 |title=Activity patterns and home ranges of Indochinese leopard ''Panthera pardus delacouri'' in the Eastern Plains Landscape, Cambodia |journal=Natural History Bulletin of the Siam Society |volume=59 |pages=39−47 |url=http://www.siamese-heritage.org/nhbsspdf/vol051-060/NHBSS_059_1h_Gray_ActivityPatternsAndH.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222060912/http://www.siamese-heritage.org/nhbsspdf/vol051-060/NHBSS_059_1h_Gray_ActivityPatternsAndH.pdf |archive-date=2016-02-22 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In southern China, leopards were recorded only in the [[Qinling]] Mountains during surveys in 11 nature reserves between 2002 and 2009.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Li, S. |author2=Wang, D. |author3=Lu, Z. |author4=Mc Shea, W. J. |name-list-style=amp |year=2010 |title=Cats living with pandas: The status of wild felids within giant panda range, China |journal=Cat News |volume=52 |pages=20–23}}</ref>

In Java, leopards inhabit dense [[tropical rainforest]]s and dry [[deciduous forest]]s at elevations from sea level to {{cvt|2540|m}}. Outside protected areas, leopards were recorded in mixed [[agricultural]] land, [[secondary forest]] and [[Agroforestry|production forest]] between 2008 and 2014.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wibisono |first1=H. T. |last2=Wahyudi |first2=H. A. |last3=Wilianto |first3=E. |last4=Pinondang |first4=I. M. R. |last5=Primajati |first5=M. |last6=Liswanto |first6=D. |last7=Linkie |first7=M. |name-list-style=amp |year=2018 |title=Identifying priority conservation landscapes and actions for the Critically Endangered Javan leopard in Indonesia: Conserving the last large carnivore in Java Island |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=13 |issue=6 |page=e0198369 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0198369 |pmid=29949588 |pmc=6021038 |bibcode=2018PLoSO..1398369W |doi-access=free}}</ref>

In the Russian Far East, it inhabits [[temperate coniferous forest]]s where winter temperatures reach a low of {{cvt|−25|°C|°F}}.<ref name=Uphyrkina/>