Daily Wild Cat News Roundup – December 21, 2025

Dec 21

Conservation Efforts

Always at forefront of protecting animals: PM Modi on opening of India’s 58th Tiger Reserve – DD News (IANS).

India has added its 58th Tiger Reserve, with Madhav Tiger Reserve designated in Madhya Pradesh – the state’s ninth such sanctuary. The new reserve spans 1,751 sq km and underscores India’s commitment to big cat conservation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the news as “amazing” for wildlife lovers, emphasizing that India’s culture “celebrates wildlife” and vowing to “always be at the forefront of protecting animals”.

Officials praised forest staff and conservationists, calling the development a proud testament to years of dedicated efforts. This expansion of protected habitat aims to bolster tiger populations and reflects a broader regional push to safeguard big cats from extinction.

Habitat Loss

Since when is the acquisition of public land a ‘state secret?’ – National Herald (India)

A brewing controversy in central India highlights the threat of habitat loss for big cats. In Madhya Pradesh, thousands of acres of dense forest – home to leopards, elephants, and other wildlife – are being cleared for a new coal mining project by an energy company. Over 570,000 trees in a high-conservation forest have already been cut down in the first phase. Alarming details reveal that much of this land includes protected elephant and leopard corridors, vital pathways that animals use to migrate and find mates.

Environmentalists warn that this large-scale deforestation and habitat fragmentation will disrupt wildlife populations and could lead to more human–wildlife conflict as animals are squeezed into smaller areas. They are urging authorities to reconsider the project or ensure alternative corridors and stronger protections before irreversible damage is done to these critical wild cat habitats.

Human–Wildlife Conflict

1-Year-Old Boy, Walking Behind Mother, Mauled To Death By Leopard In Gujarat – NDTV (Press Trust of India)

In a tragic incident in Gujarat, India, a leopard attacked and killed a small child, highlighting ongoing human–wildlife conflicts. The five-year-old boy was walking behind his mother on Sunday morning in a village abutting Gir forests when the leopard sprang from its hiding place on a farm. The child was dragged off; though villagers rushed him to a hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.

Forest officials have set up three cages and deployed teams to track and capture the leopard. This fatal encounter follows a similar case just weeks prior, and locals are on edge. Wildlife authorities note that December is peak time for leopard movements in the area as the cats search for easy prey, sometimes bringing them into villages. They are urging residents to be vigilant and are working on long-term measures – from better livestock corrals to rapid response teams – to prevent further heartbreaking run-ins between people and these wild cats.

Rescue or Rehabilitation

Forest department may radio-collar leopard rescued from Bhayandar residential society, minister visits spot – Mid-Day (Mumbai)

A dramatic rescue in a Mumbai suburb has a happier ending for both people and a big cat. On Friday, a leopard wandered into a densely populated housing complex in Bhayandar East, triggering six hours of chaos as it prowled through buildings and even injured seven residents in surprise attacks. Forest Department teams swiftly set up traps and successfully captured the leopard alive, bringing relief to frightened locals.

Over the weekend, Maharashtra’s Forest Minister Ganesh Naik visited the victims and announced plans to release the leopard back into the wild with a radio-tracking collar. Officials explained that fitting a GPS collar will allow them to monitor the cat’s movements after release, helping prevent future conflicts.

Conservationists praised the plan, noting it’s critical to both save wild leopards and keep communities safe. The rescued leopard will be relocated to a suitable forest area once deemed healthy, highlighting a compassionate approach to human–wildlife encounters: rescue, rehabilitate, and release.

Poaching and Trafficking

Authorities make disturbing discovery after raiding hotel room — here’s what they found – The Cool Down (via Free Press Journal)

Wildlife crime investigators in India have scored another victory against big cat traffickers. Acting on a tip-off, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) raided a hotel room in Bhopal and found a gruesome trophy: a leopard skin with the animal’s head still attached. Three suspects were arrested at the scene in connection with the illegal smuggling of this leopard pelt.

Officials say the bust is part of a wider crackdown – earlier this year, the same agency seized multiple leopard skins and even broke up a ring that killed a tiger cub for its bones and claws. Conservationists are applauding the enforcement effort.

Leopards are a vulnerable species, and poaching for their skins and body parts remains a serious threat fueling the global wildlife trade. In this case, the DRI’s quick action likely saved other big cats by sending a strong message. WWF India and other NGOs urge that these perpetrators face stiff penalties, noting that each arrest is crucial in the fight to protect wild cats from trafficking networks.

Scientific Discoveries & Studies

First year of wildcat restoration hailed big success – NatureScot News (Scotland)

Exciting news from the science of saving species: a new study reports that efforts to reintroduce the European wildcat to the wild in Scotland are exceeding expectations. Conservationists released 19 captive-bred wildcats into the Cairngorms National Park last year – the first time Britain has ever reintroduced a cat species.

After one year, researchers found 95% of the released wildcats survived at least ten months, with many gaining weight and showing no signs of serious injury or illness. Even better, some of these wildcats have had kittens in the wild, the first wild births in the region in decades.

The project, led by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (where a former Big Cat Rescue intern now works) with international partners, also tackled threats like interbreeding with feral domestic cats by neutering over 130 strays around release areas.

Once down to perhaps fewer than 100 individuals, Scottish wildcats were on the brink of extinction. This successful first year of the “Saving Wildcats” project demonstrates that with careful breeding, community support, and scientific monitoring, these elusive cats can reclaim their place in the ecosystem. Researchers are continuing to track the wildcats and plan future releases, hopeful that a robust wild population will take hold in coming years.

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