Panel to study if Gorewada leopards can be released or exchanged with zoos

Nagpur: The Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM) has constituted a seven-member committee to explore possibilities whether the leopards at Gorewada Rescue Centre are fit for release or can be exchanged with other zoos with prior permission of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA).
But greens doubt whether it is a ploy by FDCM to shift excess animals from Gorewada to the world’s largest zoo being constructed by Reliance Industries in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Earlier, such a committee was also formed to evaluate the tigers in the rescue centre.
The committee will be headed by general manager Rishikesh Ranjan, and zoo director Shatanik Bhagwat will be the member-secretary. The members include Maharashtra Zoo Authority (MZA) head, Dr Mayur Pawshe, Dr Sujit Kolangath, honorary warden Roheet Karoo, and zoo curator Deepak Sawant.
“In May, the state’s forest department has already shifted six elephants (four males and two females) from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) to Reliance’s Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust in Jamnagar. Plans are also afoot to shift an equal number of elephants from the Kamlapur elephant camp in Gadchiroli to Jamnagar,” said Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Sanghatan Mantra Pratap Goswami.
Talking to TOI, FDCM managing director KP Singh ruled out any move to send excess tigers and leopards to Reliance zoo. “We are already in talks with various zoos in the country to procure animals in lieu of tigers and leopards. Tigers in zoos are in demand and we plan to procure some African species for African Safari too.”
Singh said, “The scope of the committee includes whether the excess leopards are fit for release or not and secondly, whether they can be transferred to other zoos for exchange of other species. We are already in talks with zoos in Goa, Jaipur, Guwahati, Mysuru, Mangalore and other places to exchange animals.”
Currently, there are 14 tigers in 10 cages in the Gorewada Rescue Centre. Out of these, three are disabled and 11 can be exchanged. To accommodate excess tigers, five leopard enclosures have been vacated. Similarly, Gorewada has the capacity to house 20 leopards but has 23 leopards and 3 cubs. The excess leopards have been shifted to monkey enclosures.
Goswami feels that as leopards are not in demand by zoos, it is possible that these animals may be sent to the Reliance zoo. “We will oppose any move to shift tiger and leopards to Reliance zoo. If these animals are sent to other zoos, Gorewada stands to gain by new species for safari but if sent to Reliance, no new species will be added,” he said.
State wildlife board member Kundan Hate said, “Since January 1, 2022, 56 people, including 41 alone in Chandrapur district, have died in man-animal conflict. Considering the flared-up conflict, capturing more tigers and leopards cannot be ruled out. Hence, it is always better to expand the enclosures. There is a proposal to construct 20 additional enclosures and funds have also been sanctioned.”
Albino blackbuck dies in safari park
An albino blackbuck was found dead in the 45-hectare herbivore enclosure of the Indian Safari on Sunday morning. The Balasaheb Thackeray Gorewada International Zoological Park authorities cited old age as the reason for the animal’s death. The park had received 10 albino blackbucks from Delhi zoo in October last. Gorewada director Shatanik Bhagwat said, “The animal had separated from the herd and was moving alone.” The post-mortem was conducted by Dr Mayur Pawshe in the presence of curator Deepak Sawant.