Panther-Panthera Pardus (Linnaeus) (Dipdo)

This species used to be fairly common but of late its numbers have dwindled considerably. Unlike the tiger which prefers heavy cover, the panther is able to live and thrive almost anywhere. In Kutch they have good and plentiful cover among the rocky hills, and except after killing a cow or goat, are difficult to trace. Its natural prey includes deer, monkeys, porcupines, etc. A panther living near human habitation preys mainly on domestic animals or even poultry and is particularly fond of lifting dogs. It invariably seizes its victim by the threat and kills it by strangulation. The Indian leopard Panthera pardus which was quite numerous but is now not so common in the various "rakhals" on the Kutch mainland.