Published on: January 9, 2025

LEOPARD RESCUE AND REHABILITATION CENTRE

LEOPARD RESCUE AND REHABILITATION CENTRE

NEWS – Amid Rising Leopard-Human Conflicts: Proposal for India’s Largest Leopard Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Mysuru

HIGHLIGHTS

Overview of the Proposed Centre

  • Scale and Funding:
    • Rs 70-crore project for a state-of-the-art facility.
    • Proposed to handle 100 leopards, making it the largest in India.
  • Objectives:
    • Enhance the survival rate of injured leopards.
    • Provide modern rescue, treatment, and rehabilitation facilities.
  • Land Identified: 92 acres in Yelawal Residency Compound Sandal Plantation, Mysuru Taluk.
    • Notified as Reserve/State Forest in 1899.
    • Proximity to Bandipur, Nagarahole, and BRT Tiger Reserves.

Need for the Centre

  • Increasing Rescues:
    • Around 250 leopards rescued annually in Karnataka.
    • Leopard Task Force in Mysuru and Mandya alone rescued 117 leopards (Jan 2023 – Dec 2024).
  • Inadequate Facilities:
    • Limited space for temporarily holding rescued leopards near Mysuru.
    • Lack of veterinary facilities, including microchipping and ear notching.
    • Long transport to Bannerghatta Rescue Centre (150 km away) increases injury risks.

Features of the Proposed Centre

  1. Infrastructure and Capacity:
    • State-of-the-art veterinary satellite hospital.
    • Diagnosis and treatment centre.
    • Quarantine and post-mortem rooms with advanced facilities like deep freeze and incinerator.
  2. Integrated Mobile Units:
    • Rescue vehicle-cum-ambulances for on-field primary aid.
  3. Permanent Holding Facilities:
    • Open moats for leopards with permanent disabilities.
    • Focus on humane care and scientific data collection.
  4. Forensic Centre:
    • Quick, evidence-based investigation of leopard-related incidents.
  5. Awareness and Trust-Building:
    • Education and awareness initiatives for communities in conflict zones.
  6. Rehabilitation and Monitoring:
    • Individual holding facilities for observation (2–3 months) before rewilding.

Comparison with Existing Facilities

  • Largest Existing Facility: Gir National Park, Gujarat, with a capacity of 50 leopards.
  • Current Facilities in Karnataka:
    • Bannerghatta National Park: 42 leopards.
    • Mysuru Zoo: 9 leopards.
    • Shivamogga: 6 leopards.
    • Gadag and Hampi: 5 leopards each.

Challenges Addressed

  • Injury and Rehabilitation:
    • Approximately 50% of rescued leopards suffer injuries (e.g., snares, accidents).
    • Lack of nearby veterinary care exacerbates risks.
  • Data Collection:
    • Opportunity to generate data on leopard-human interactions.
    • Research to aid in conflict resolution strategies.

Impact and Benefits

  • Wildlife Conservation:
    • Enhanced care and rehabilitation for leopards.
    • Mitigation of leopard-human conflicts.
  • Community Awareness:
    • Trust-building initiatives to promote coexistence.
  • Scientific Advancements:
    • Improved research and evidence-based conflict resolution.