The death of a leopard cub after it was hit by a vehicle

Leopard cub’s death spurs forest dept into action

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Aakriti Vasudeva : Thu May 10 2012, 01:25 hrsAfter the April 18 incident, Limaye had met the managing director of Film City and suggested speed curbs.

“We suggested six speed-breakers on a 2-km stretch from Film City’s main gate to Hatti gate, near the park’s boundary. We asked them to enforce a speed limit between 20 and 30 km/hr and put up signs indicating it is a forest area where leopards roam. They have agreed to implement these, with some possible variations. We can implement something similar at Aarey,” said Limaye.

Animal welfare activists say such accidents have taken place earlier and these changes might have come a little late.

“Many such incidents have happened. The threat is not only for leopards but also people. This should have been introduced much earlier. It’s a case of better late than never but definitely a good initiative. The forest department must ensure that the speed limit is adhered to. Also, citizens should realize it is their responsibility to follow rules so that leopards can be saved,” said Krishna Tiwari, a wildlife activist .

The death of a leopard cub after it was hit by a vehicle on Tuesday night, the state forest department has decided approach the CEO of the at Aarey Milk Colony, where the incident took place, to set up speed-breakers and impose speed restrictions to avoid a repeat of such accidents.

An FIR has been registered against an unknown motorist in the case.

The cub, a male three-four months old, was hit by a vehicle at around 8 pm near Unit 13 of Aarey Milk Colony on Tuesday. “We lodged an FIR against the unknown motorist under section 279 (rash driving) and section 429 (mischief by killing or maiming cattle or any other animal...) of the IPC. The search for the vehicle and the driver is on,” said Ashok Kadam, Senior PI, Aarey Sub police station.

“Post-mortem confirmed that the cub died of brain haemorrhage and from the nature of the injuries it is clear he was hit head-on by a vehicle,” said Dr Vinaya Jangale, veterinary officer, Sanjay Gandhi National Park(SGNP).

This is the second such incident in less than a month. On April 18, a five-year-old male leopard was injured after it was hit by a vehicle at Film City in Goregaon East. Alarmed by these incidents, the forest department has decided to take up the matter with the authorities concerned. “I will speak to the CEO of Aarey Milk Colony and suggest putting up speed-breakers and enforcing a speed limit. This will make it easier to catch offenders who usually go scot free. The colony needs to check speeding of vehicles after dusk. I will also speak to the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) about the matter,” said Chief Conservator of Forests and SGNP director Sunil Limaye.

After the April 18 incident, Limaye had met the managing director of Film City and suggested speed curbs.

“We suggested six speed-breakers on a 2-km stretch from Film City’s main gate to Hatti gate, near the park’s boundary. We asked them to enforce a speed limit between 20 and 30 km/hr and put up signs indicating it is a forest area where leopards roam. They have agreed to implement these, with some possible variations. We can implement something similar at Aarey,” said Limaye.

Animal welfare activists say such accidents have taken place earlier and these changes might have come a little late.

“Many such incidents have happened. The threat is not only for leopards but also people. This should have been introduced much earlier. It’s a case of better late than never but definitely a good initiative. The forest department must ensure that the speed limit is adhered to. Also, citizens should realize it is their responsibility to follow rules so that leopards can be saved,” said Krishna Tiwari, a wildlife activist .