India, Oct. 18 -- In a first, the Junnar forest division in Pune district of Maharashtra has launched a scientific study to control leopard fertility through immunocontraception-a non-lethal method of population management.

According to a press statement issued by forest officials, two female leopards have been administered the immunocontraceptive vaccine and safely released back into the wild.

Immunocontraception involves administering a vaccine that triggers an immune response, temporarily enabling an animal to become infertile. It is a long-term, but not permanent, protection against pregnancy. Unlike permanent sterilisation, the method offers a reversible means of controlling reproduction.

The study has received formal approval fro...