(IN): Straying of leopard due to shrinking wildlife habitat

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Link: http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=dec0507/City4

 

*Straying of leopard due to shrinking wildlife habitat

* By A City Correspondent

GUWAHATI, Dec 4 – The rescue of a male leopard from the commercial hub of

the capital city on Monday revealed the toll taken on the rich wild life by

the process of development and high intensity of urbanization.

 

The leopard, which had taken shelter in the busy Fancy Bazaar area, was

tranquilized by a four-member team led by Dr Bijoy Gogoi, State Zoo, Monday

morning.

 

With the city growing rapidly, life in the wild has been under tremendous

stress to the concern of the wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers. The

rapidly dwindling forest areas have restricted the prey base of the wild

animals, especially the carnivorous animals, forcing them to set foot on

forbidden land, in human territory.

 

Reports of leopards straying into residential areas have been coming in at

regular intervals. The anxiety for the wildlife workers has been in regard

to the safe capture of the stray animals before being harmed by panicky

humans. Narayan Mahanta, DFO, Zoo, while talking to *The Assam Tribune* said

that Guwahati, which was once rich in bio-diversity, has been under great

pressure due to dwindling greenery. " The wildlife habitation, like the hills

and reserve forests, have been ravaged by humans forcing the animals to

stray into human territory, " said Mahanta informing that the rescued leopard

was under tremendous stress.

 

According to Mahanta, today's was the first case of a leopard straying so

deep inside the city. In the earlier instances, the leopards had strayed to

areas that were on the fringe of their habitation. " This leopard must have

come down in search of food either from Nilachal or Durga Sarovar, " said

Mahanta.

 

The zoo authorities were intimated of a leopard prowling in the Fancy Bazaar

area about a week back. The leopard had attacked one person near Sheikh

Brothers. " On November 30, we had information that a leopard had attacked

one more person near Khubchand. We were in search of the leopard, but not

yet sure whether the leopard which we rescued today is the same one that has

been attacking people, " said Mahanta.

 

The leopard, taken to the zoo is three or four years old, informed Dr Gogoi.

 

 

Prior to this, many leopards had been captured from the Guwahati city area

and rehabilitated in various suitable places.

 

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