A total of 149 leopards died in Madhya Pradesh over the 14 months starting January last year, with accidents accounting for the highest number of fatalities, according to data provided in response to a Right to Information query.While activist Ajay Dube, who filed the RTI application, said the figures portray a “grim reality”, the Forest Department said efforts are being made to reduce deaths. It also said that a mortality rate of 4% was well within the accepted range for big cats.Published - April 10, 2026 03:15 pm IST