Udaipur, October 30, 2024 – Three of the five leopards captured from the Gogunda district and kept at Sajjangarh Biological Park in Udaipur were sent to the Nahargarh Biological Park in Jaipur on October 28. One leopard captured in an operation on October 25, was sent to the Machia Biological Park in Jodhpur instead of being brought to the Bio Park in Udaipur.

The decision to move the animals was taken because of shortage of space at the Sajjangarh Park. The captured animals were being kept in rescue cages which are reportedly cramped. The Biological Park has 10 such cages. Prior to the Gogunda leopard attacks, five leopards were already being housed at the rescue centre either because they are old, ill or suspected of being man-eaters.

On September 23, two leopards were captured near the Chhali gram panchayat after incidents of killing of villagers by a leopard. One was caught on September 27 from Kundau in the Majavad Panchayat, and yet another on September 28 from Chhali. All four animals were kept at the Sajjangarh Biological Park's rescue centre. Later, one older male leopard died on October 12 due to illness.

Wildlife rescued from the three forest divisions in Udaipur district and Rajsamand is typically brought to the rescue centre at Sajjangarh Park. Most of these are leopards. Those who are healthy and only need some treatment are released into the wild after they have recovered. Those captured animals that are sick, old, or suspected of being man-eaters are kept in cages at the centre, which are larger than the rescue cages.

The Bio Park is soon to have a new rescue centre with 18 new cages which will solve any future problems of housing rescued wildlife.

Source: Media Reports