Fifth Big Cat dies at Sanjay Gandhi National Park

4 leopards and 1 lioness die in 2 months at Sanjay Gandhi National Park , Mumbai

Author: Pawan Sharma - pawan.resqink@gmail.com

Photo Credits - RAWW archives

16/11/2014

A female leopard succumbed to death in the rescue center at SGNP (Sanjay Gandhi National Park) early morning yesterday 15/11/2014. Sources from the forest department confirmed the death of a female leopard kept in captivity at the rescue center near the captivated lion cage in the park.

This is the fifth big cat within last two months, earlier lioness Shobha and three other leopards had died in unnatural circumstances. Officials at the national park however tried to defend themselves with some or the other reasons. However wildlife lovers close to the park claim that errors are from the side of the concerned authorities in-charge of the well being of the captivated animals.

A wildlife enthusiast close to the park said "The captivated animals are kept in very poor conditions, the enclosures are very small for a leopard to be kept in captivity. The concerned vet is very ignorant towards the captivated animals and looks least interested when it comes to discussions on the captivated animals. I tried to approach him many times but I was never entertained not only by the vet but even higher officials."

National park authorities are now entertaining consulting vets from other places which indicates that they are not self equipped with their own management. Big cats in the country enjoy the highest level of protection no matter weather in wild or captivity. Keeping a track of the wild ones is next to impossible but captivated wildlife can be maintained very well with a systematic and sincere approach towards their well being.

All the wildkinds are property of the state and a state is made up of people. It is very important on the part of the concerned authorities to supply a good flow of information and awareness about the wildkinds kept in captivity. Regular reports of their health check-up's and well being should be made public as they are the tax payers from where major funds and resources are generated.

However it is found that the national park authorities behave in a very secretive manner when  it comes to such matters. A very biased attitude from the side of the national park is being observed since a year. Influential and VIP's have access to all the happenings of the park but many wildlife activists and volunteers who want to help the national park not only the animals but also the staff in various welfare and development projects from grass root to high levels are left disappointed.

Other than this there are many issues within the park authorities and management itself, a source from the forest department who requested not to disclose his identity said "It is difficult to work for the real welfare of the animals due to several departmental complications. We feel sorry for the animals but at the end of the day things are in the hands of our bosses who have the power of making and taking decisions."

"We forest officers especially representing the wildlife wing earn our bread and butter because of the forest and the wildlife it supports, it is very disappointing to see this happening in the work environment" he added.

"According to me the work of vets and animal keepers in which they have failed at the park is to make sure that all the animals in captivity are doing well. The animals are not and will never be happy in captivity but as we humans have captivated them we should take good care of them. Daily visits and check-up's of all the captivated animals should be a practice which is never done. Injured and distressed animals should be properly and seriously treated which is not happening here" he concluded.

The national park is seen taking participation in many initiatives which will he adding to the revenue of the park but the core areas and basic and most prior duties are not being done is what the observation that can be made after following up with the happenings in the park.

If this will be the condition of one of the most unique national park in the world, protected forests of our country's financial capital, captivated wildlife of one of the richest city Mumbai then conservation and wildlife welfare is going to face more tougher times.