Leopard kept at Transit Treatment Centre for more than permissible period dies





By Kaushik Bhattacharya

Rescue, treat and send wild animals to rescue centres or release them into wild is the role of TTC TTC cites lack of space in Gorewada Zoo for keeping the leopard for long

A full grown leopard which was kept at Transit Treatment Centre (TTC) in Seminary Hills, for more than prescribed period, died on Friday. The 10 years old leopard, that had lost its all canine, was rescued by the forest team eight months ago from Butibori forest range. The foresters had sent the leopard to TTC for treatment. Since then, the leopard was residing at the TTC. On Friday, the leopard was found dead in its cage. After getting information, on Saturday, the officials swung into action and conducted panchanama as per the SOP of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). According to Recognition of Zoo Rules of Central Zoo Authority (CZA), any rescued wild animal can be kept in the zoo for at the most 30 days.

Thereafter, it has to be shifted either to rescue centre or released into the wild. Though TTC does not come under the jurisdiction of the CZA, it has no permission to keep any wild animal for eight long months in a small cage. The primary role of the TTC is to rescue the wild animal, treat it and send it to rescue centre or release it into the wild. However, in this case, the leopard was in captivity at the TTC for eight months which was against the rule. “We had sent proposals to PCCF (Wildlife) for shifting of the leopard to Gorewada Zoo and Rescue Centre many times. But due to lack of space in Gorewada Zoo, the leopard was kept at the TTC from last eight months,” Pratibha Ramteke, RFO, TTC told The Hitavada. When contacted, an official of Gorewada Rescue Centre, on the condition of anonymity, said, “We have space crunch for more wild animals in the zoo but we are bound to arrange space for every animal that is brought here. We have accommodated three leopards in last eight months.”

The leopard was fit and normal before it died on Friday. It was consuming meat regularly. No sign of illness except loss of canine was its health status. “Initially we are considering that the death took place due to cardiac arrest. The post-mortem has been performed. We are awaiting its report to ascertain the actual cause of death,” said Dr Bharat Singh Hada, Deputy Conservator of Forest, Nagpur. “After receiving the post-mortem report, we will know the exact reason of death. If we find any ignorance by the TTC then we will take action against the culprits,” assured Dr Hada. But, what caused the leopard suffer cardiac arrest?