Asian subspecies, in which the melanistic mutation is the most common, are the most endangered of all leopards. Humans are the black leopard's primary threat.

wild cats are very similar. I have one cat who was so nervous when out and about, she licked the fur off her stomach. She was put on a $100/bag for stress, so I fed her in a cage, but let her out otherwise. Her bald tummy didn't improve. When my schedule got eaten up with doctors, I threw in the towel on shuffling her around and kept her in her cage, promising it would be temporary. She was so happy, I didn't worry. It's been about two months and her fur has grown back!! Another cat was the most finicky eater who ever lived. Small anyway, in adulthood she looks like a six month old. She decided she'd deign to eat the stress food, so she went into a cage at mealtimes. And turned into a furry sausage. When I ran out of time, I quit the cage feeding and hoped that now that she was used to eating, she'd eat their food with them. Well, the two times per day I fed, she'd run to her cage, wanting indoor dining. It took her over two months to resign herself to not eating in her cage. So, I don't think it's the end of any cat's happiness to endure captivity and this panther's longevity suggests that he was happy with his habitat.