Javan Leopard

The Javan leopard is a leopard subspecies confined to the Indonesian island of Java. It has been listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2021. The population is estimated at 188–571 mature individuals in 22 fragmented subpopulations and a declining population trend. Today, their only predators are other leopards. In fact, adults sometimes cannibalize young cubs. The primary threat to them comes from human activities in the form of illegal hunting and habitat loss. Over 90% of the natural vegetation in Java has been lost due to deforestation for agriculture and human settlements. Javan leopards were initially described as black panthers with dark black spots and silver-grey eyes. They have either a normal spotted coat with rosettes or a recessive phenotype resulting in a black coat.

Conservation status: Critically Endangered (Population decreasing)

Scientific name: Panthera pardus melas

Family: Felidae

Location: Indonesian island of Java

Kingdom: Animalia

Order: Carnivora

Distribution

Javan leopards are found on the Indonesian island of Java. There they inhabit Gunung Halimun National Park, Ujung Kulon National Park, Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park, Ceremai National Park, Merbabu National Park, Merapi National Park, Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, Meru Betiri National Park, Ijen Mountain, Baluran National Park, and Alas Purwo National Park. Javan leopards live in mountainous areas ranging from dense tropical rainforests to dry deciduous forests. Outside protected areas, they were recorded in secondary forests, mixed agriculture, and production forest between 2008 and 2014.