At least four leopards killed weekly

Conservationists say there is no reliable way to estimate the population of leopards in India, due to the poaching of at least four cats a week.

The findings come from a report called Illuminating the Blind Spot: A study on illegal trade in Leopard parts in India, following research in the country by a group of conservationists, known as Traffic.

According to reports, there are about 10,000 leopards left in the country, however, the study reported that around 2,294 leopards were trafficked during a 10-year span.

Though the big cats are a protected species in India, and commercial trade in their body parts is banned worldwide, the study documented 420 seizures of leopard skins, bones and body parts between 2001 and 2010.

The report states that most of the parts are smuggled to Asian countries, with the Indian hub of illegal trade in Delhi, and the northern state of Uttarakhand the biggest source for leopard parts.

Lead author of the study, Ravi Singh, said: "Any increase in external market demand could easily lead to a decimation of leopard numbers in India."

The report states that unless the country comes up with a strategy to stop poaching and trade, the big cats' population will continue to decline in India.