First photographic record of a Leopard Cat <Prionailurus bengalensis> (Kerr, 1792) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) in central India

We report the first documented presence of the Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis in central India, significantly expanding the known range of the species. Camera trapping in Pench Tiger Reserve from 3 February to 3 March 2024, Maharashtra, revealed the presence of a Leopard Cat in one of 296 surveyed grid cells of 2 km2 each. The detection occurred in a seasonal stream with undulating, rocky terrain, and 40% canopy cover. The surrounding habitat was characterized by a mix of dense forest and human-dominated landscape, consistent with the species’ known adaptability and tolerance of human disturbance. This unexpected finding challenges previous assumptions about Leopard Cat distribution in India and has important implications for felid conservation in the region. Further studies would be required to ascertain whether this individual belongs to a distinct population or is an extension of already reported population in the country.