BOMBING IN ASKOT WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Landslide due to mortar shelling in Askot sanctuary - Click on image to enlarge

Massive firing and shelling of mortars regularly take place at Tijam, near Sobala, conducted by a  transit army

MALE LEOPARD DEAD IN NOOSE TRAP

Leopard trapped in noose (file photo)

An adult male leopard was found dead in  a field in village Kanthgaon near Gurna in Pithoragarh. On post-mortem, it was found that the leopard was perfectly healthy but with severe blood clot in the lungs, heart and the juglar vein was also found cut. There was a small injury seen behind the shoulder where a few drops of blood was coming out. Probably the leopard escaped and was successful in breaking the noose trap, which is usually a simple clutch wire or any other wire kept as a noose. Once the leopard gets trapped, its tries to run away, during which the noose gets more and more tightened. In this process of struggle, severe internal haemorrage occurs and the leopard slowly loses its life in another few hours. This leopard seems to have broken the trap in the time being, but could not survive for long. One canine tooth was also found missing.

Three Orphaned Leopard Cubs Rescued

Three male leopard cubs were rescued by the Uttarakhand Forest Department from Village Marchaur, Adkini, 20 kms from Pithoragarh after these cubs were left orphaned by their missing mother. The villagers found the cubs in a stream bank in a dense oak forest where dogs were trying to attack the cubs. The villagers saved these cubs from the dogs and informed the forest department. The forest department team rushed to the spot and put the cubs safely back to the place where it was found and coodoned the area from any public activity. The team and villagers waited all night in the expectation that their mom would return to take away the cubs or feed them milk. However, inspite of the cubs crying (meowing) loud all night, the mother was not visible or heard anywhere around. After day break, since there was no use of leaving the cubs hungry, the cubs were brought to the Range office and after consultation with the veterinarian was fed with dilute milk, after which the cubs are now somewhat active. Two of the cubs have their eyes opened, but one is still to open its eyes completely. The cubs are expected to be around 25 days old. The search for the mother is going on, but the chances are high that the mother is no more. After observation for a few days, these cubs would be sent to Nainital Zoo.

The death or exclusion of one female leopard means the exclusion of three of its present litter, three of its previous litter and three in the womb. So, that means at least the life of 9 more leopards are at stake.

The death or exclusion of one male leopard will lead to capture of its territory by another male, who would like to have only his offsprings in the area. For this, he will kill all the nine cubs as mentioned above per female. A male territory can have 3-4 females and so, 9x4=36 cubs' life is at stake.

So, we should think before declaring any leopard as man-eater and killing them or allowing a leopard to be hunted otherwise.

Another wildlife poacher arrested from Pithoragarh

Another wildlife poacher and trader, Mr.Ramesh Ram of village Badalu, Pithoragarh was arrested today 22nd May 2011 in the early morning hours by the police with a leopard skin recovered from him. The skin was fresh and was foul smelling and had three bullet holes. Today evening, he was sent to 14 days remand in judicial custody. According to the accused, he got the skin from another person in village Rongu a few kilometers away. The increasing number of arrests and seizures show that though there has been dedicated campaign to end the crime, the trade is still flourishing due to international demand for the precious skins. Details of the present crime investigation will be posted from time to time. To keep track of these and help control wildlife crime, follow this blog.