Experts advice caution while collaring leopards

Bangalore: Criticism is mounting over radio collaring of leopards in the state. Two leopards died recently and the cause of their death could be the methods used in radio collaring.

One leopardess fitted with the collar managed to escape into the wild after her collar loosened. The other leopard died before forest officers could release it in the Cauvery Wildlife San­ctuary

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Conservationists say that extended confinement of a leopard inside a cage and the long distance travel before it is let free in the wild, could result in the death of the leopard.

“Leopards are very sensitive in nature and extreme care must be taken when collaring them. Collaring as a device does not harm the leopard; it’s the condition of the animal when it’s being collared. A majority of leopards trapped in human habitations are un­der stress. The dosage to sedate the animal must be correct. This requires expe­rtise,” said Vidya Athreya, a wildlife expert.

The forest department is planning to radio collar another leopard and pressure is mounting to follow the protocols prescribed by the Ministry of Envi­ronment and Forests, which recommend that the captured leopard must be released in a forest nearby.

G.S. Prabhu, Wildlife PCCF said that residents of Hesarghatta have been requesting them to relocate a leopard that has been on the prowl for the last three months. “We don't know which is its home range. The animal has been photographed in camera traps. It seems like an adult male leopard,” Prabhu said.