Environment News

Leopard Immunocontraception – Maharashtra

October 21 , 2026 15 hrs 0 min 60 0

The Junnar forest division in Pune district, Maharashtra, launched India’s first scientific study to control leopard reproduction using immunocontraception, and two female leopards have received the vaccine and been released into the wild.
Immunocontraception is a non-lethal method that uses a vaccine to temporarily prevent pregnancy without permanently affecting fertility.
The study was approved by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
The pilot project aims to assess the safety and effectiveness of immunocontraception in reducing human–leopard conflict in high-density areas.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Mumbai, will help analyse blood samples to monitor hormonal changes and the vaccine’s long-term effects.
Between 2000 and 2025, leopard attacks killed 56 people in the Junnar forest division.