6 hrs ago
Wild Leopard Enters Kufri Enclosure, Kills Aged Captive Leopard
A wild leopard got into a zoo enclosure at the Himalayan Nature Park in Kufri.
Inside, it found two captive leopards named Sheru and Bandit.
Sheru was an old leopard that had lived at the park since 2007.
The wild leopard fought Sheru, and Sheru died from his injuries.
Bandit was not hurt.
The wild leopard entered through a small opening in the fence.
Officials first wondered whether Sheru had died naturally, but a later examination showed he had been injured in a fight.
The opening was repaired, and officials will send a report to the Central Zoo Authority after receiving the zoo’s explanation.
A wild leopard entered the Himalayan Nature Park’s leopard enclosure on August 8 and killed Sheru.
The intruder entered through a small hole or cavity in the iron fence.
Post-mortem findings received August 30 attributed Sheru’s death to injuries sustained in a struggle.
The wild leopard was tranquilised, medically examined, and released into the forest on August 9.
Five-year-old leopardess Bandit was unharmed, while officials sought an explanation from the zoo staff.
- Who
- A wild leopard, captive leopard Sheru, leopardess Bandit, and officials of the Himalayan Nature Park and Wildlife Department were involved.
- What
- A wild leopard entered a leopard enclosure and killed the aged captive leopard Sheru, while Bandit remained unharmed.
- Where
- The incident occurred at the Himalayan Nature Park in Kufri, in an enclosure near the Asiatic bears’ courtyard.
- When
- The incident occurred on August 8; the intruder was released on August 9, and Sheru’s post-mortem report was received on August 30.
- Why
- Officials found that the leopard entered through a small fence opening; a zoo official suggested it may have followed Bandit’s scent and attacked Sheru after finding another male.
Wildlife Department Accountability
Environmental Circumstances
How the leopard entered
Wildlife Department Accountability
Officials acknowledged that the enclosure breach was a lapse and repaired the opening in the iron fence.
Environmental Circumstances
A wildlife official said the park is adjacent to forested areas, so a wild leopard may have been drawn by the scent of the leopardess Bandit.
Initial explanation of Sheru’s death
Wildlife Department Accountability
The post-mortem report established that Sheru died from injuries sustained in a fight, prompting officials to seek an explanation from the zoo staff.
Environmental Circumstances
Before receiving the conclusive post-mortem report, the Wildlife Department initially believed Sheru might have died of natural causes.
Key facts
- Victim
- Sheru, the oldest leopard at the park
- Other leopard
- Bandit, a five-year-old leopardess, was unharmed
- Incident date
- August 8
- Cause of death
- Injuries inflicted during a struggle with another animal
- Entry point
- A small hole or cavity in the iron fence
- Intruder’s outcome
- Tranquilised, medically examined, and released into the forest on August 9
- Follow-up
- Zoo officials were asked for an explanation, and a report will be sent to the Central Zoo Authority
Quotes
Shahnawaz Ahmad Bhatt
Deputy Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Shimla
“We received the post-mortem report of the leopard named Sheru on August 30. It concluded that Sheru died due to injuries inflicted during a struggle with another animal. Indeed, there was a lapse. We visited the spot and found the intruder had sneaked into the enclosure through a small hole or cavity in the iron fence. The gap was repaired. The intruder leopard was released into the forest area after a detailed medical examination.”
indianexpress.com
“Once the Kufri zoo staff submits its explanation, a detailed report will be sent to the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), Delhi.”
indianexpress.com
A wildlife official associated with the Kufri zoo
Wildlife official associated with the Himalayan Nature Park, Kufri
“Our initial assessment is that the wild leopard, which was later tranquilised and released into the open forest, had picked up the scent of the leopardess Bandit, who was lodged in the same enclosure as Sheru. It managed to enter the enclosure and became agitated after finding another male with the leopardess. Sheru was aged and fragile and failed to counter the younger leopard.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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