The Hindu : Karnataka News : Rescued leopard dies in zoo

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Wednesday, Feb 06, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Rescued leopard dies in zoo

Staff Correspondent

Chitradurga: The male leopard caught by the Forest Department died of injuries on Friday. The department caught an adult leopard in the Chitralli forest range of Holalkere taluk.

The leopard, which was captured a few days ago, had been kept at Adamalleshwar zoo for its treatment.

According to Range Forest Officer S. Srinivas, the leopard did not respond to the treatment given by the veterinarians. The autopsy report reveals the cause of death because of paralysis and wounds inside mouth.

The captured leopard was badly injured and was trapped in bushes. Based on the information of some local people, the Forest Department officials had captured the animal and brought it to the zoo.

Mr. Srinivas said the animal had sustained injuries on face and back. It was not in a position even to stand as its lower portion was paralysed. Since it had lost a canine tooth, the animal was not in a position to eat.

The veterinarians feared his survival as the animal had not only sustained severe injuries but grown to its maximum age. The leopard was believed to be 13 years old.

A wounded blackbuck, which was brought to the zoo a few month ago, also died of facial injuries. The blackbuck had strayed into human habitation.

Mr. Srinivas said after the postmortem, as per the Forest Department norms, the carcass was burnt.

About shifting three leopard cubs born three months ago in the zoo, he said the department had written to Mangalore zoo authorities seeking their permission to send the cubs to zoo. “As it is a mini zoo, it is not possible to keep more number of animals here, particularly wild animals. Therefore, we have to shift them to a bigger zoo,” he said.

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