Sighting of the leopard at the DDA-run park had come as a surprise to ecologists and scientists, who sought immediate steps
Concerned that the leopard recently sighted at the Delhi Bio-diversity Park might face the same fate as the one battered to death by a mob in Gurugram, the Delhi government is mulling over shifting the big cat to the Delhi zoo or the neighbouring Uttarakhand's Rajaji National Park.
Sources said the forest department officials have been asked to carry out a thorough survey in the matter.
"We have ordered our officials to conduct a fact-finding survey in the reported sighting of a leopard in the Yamuna Biodiversity park. While the sighting is an indicator of the good quality of wildlife in the forest area, our primary concern is the leopard's safety," said Environment and Forest Minister Imran Hussain.
An official said: "Two wildlife inspectors have been deployed to find pug marks, if available, for assessment of the age of the leopard. Also, once the location of the animal is identified, we will place cages with baits at appropriate sites to ensure that it can be transferred to a more secure site."
The decision comes a day after a leopard was battered to death by angry villagers in Gurugram's Sohna area, after the feline strayed in the area and injured several villagers. The violent mob battered the leopard in the presence of police and forest department officials.
The sighting of the leopard at the Delhi Development Authority (DDA)-run park had come as a surprise to ecologists and scientists, who sought immediate steps for its safety.
Senior officials in the Delhi government said ensuring the safety of animals was a prerogative of the state government under the Wildlife Protection Act-1972, and that it was considering the transfer of the animal, as it might also pose a threat to humans.
"Our current survey suggests that it possibly strayed from its group, which means that it may wander in search of them. Also, in light of what happened in Gurugram, it is critical to move the leopard. The government is, however, yet to take a decision on whether to release it in the Rajaji National Park or to shift it to the Delhi zoo," said an official.
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