The leopard (Panthera pardus) is one of the five living species in the genus Panthera, a member of the cat family, Felidae. It occurs in a wide range in sub-Saharan Africa, in some parts of Western and Central Asia, Southern Russia, and on the Indian subcontinent to Southeast and East Asia. It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List because leopard populations are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, and are declining in large parts of the global range. Contemporary records suggest that the leopard occurs in only 25% of its historical global range.

The leopard is distinguished by its well-camouflaged fur, opportunistic hunting behaviour, broad diet, strength, and ability to adapt to a variety of habitats ranging from rainforest to steppe, including arid and montane areas. The species inhabits foremost savanna and rainforest, and areas where grasslands, woodlands, and riverine forests remain largely undisturbed. In sub-Saharan Africa, it is still numerous and surviving in marginal habitats where other large cats have disappeared. There is considerable potential for human-leopard conflict due to leopards preying on livestock.