An adult male leopard, which was rescued after found trapped in a cable snare in a private property in Panchwadi, Shiroda, Goa on Monday, will be released to the forest in a couple of days, once the veterinary team treating him gives the signal.
Goa Chief Conservator of Forests, Satosh Kumar, told The Hindu here on Wednesday that, simultaneously, he had directed departmental officials in North Goa Forest Division to conduct an inquiry and a survey and submit names of the criminals found using motorcycle gear cable and similar things to snare wild animals, and submit the same to the District Magistrate and police for action against them.
"We want to take action so that people doing this mischief are discouraged and similar incidents are not repeated," said Mr. Kumar.
He said that the departmental team has managed to get a few persons involved in the incident, but after a proper survey the names will be submitted for action to the Magistrate.
He said that the Forest Department can take action only when there is harm to animal life.
As for the rescued male 5-year-old leopard, he said that he has been taking food and has been keeping very well. He has been under observation at Bondal Zoo under a veterinary team. His minor injuries are being treated and once the veterinary team says he is fit to be released, a decision will be taken to release him back to the forest.
There were minor external injuiries, and therefore, the animal was sent to Bondla Zoo for veterinary care and observations, said Mr. Kumar.
On Monday, on receiving information from locals, the team of North Goa Forest Division rushed to the spot and carried out the rescue operation with the help of experts of Bondla wildlife sanctuary. The animal was tranquilised and its cable snare was cut. The whole rescue operation lasted for around two hours. The wildcat was snare-trapped adjacent to the State-owned Goa Forest Development Corporation Cashew plantation near Maisal Dam at Panchwadi village.
A thin motorcycle gear cable was used by unknown criminals as snare which was attached to a tree. On combing the area the forest team found couple more snares.