Habitat Loss
One of the biggest threats to leopards is habitat loss. Habitat loss is the destruction or deterioration of the natural places where animals live and find food. The habitat loss can be the result of increasing numbers of people moving into areas where used to be habitats for leopards and other animals. As more and more people settle in these natural areas for animals and clear land to build roads, farms, and towns, the habitats for leopards and other animals are deteriorating or shrinking.
The trees of tropical forests are being cut down to provide people with firewood and lumber. Clearing the forest land also creates places for people to build farms, roads, and houses. Many plant-eating animals are prey for leopards. When land is cleared, the plant-eating animals that live on that land do not have enough food to eat. Their number falls. Leopards have fewer places to live and have more trouble finding their natural prey.
Hungry leopards sometimes have to find food in nearby farms, villages, or towns. They may attack livestock. In desperation, they may attack people, too. Farmers often kill leopards to protect their livestock or their families. In the case of habitat loss, leopards either starve to death or are killed by people. The survival of leopards is greatly challenged.
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