Baby leopard found abandoned at tea plantation in Valparai
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general public|ATR authorities
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COIMBATORE: In a shocking incident, a baby leopard deserted by mother
within days of its birth was found battling for life inside a tea
plantation in Valparai on Saturday morning and it was there for the last
three days devoid of any food or water. Though aware of its presence in
the Gajamudi estate since it was abandoned by the mother on Wednesday,
authorities of Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) to which Valaparai belongs
done nothing to save the leopard cub till late on Saturday evening and
failed even to ensure it any feed or fluid.
Other than posting two anti-poaching watchers to guard the cub, ATR authorities done nothing and even failed to ensure presence of a veterinarian. They even attempted to hide the news from media and general public but TOI managed to access the cub on getting information from some reliable sources in the department.
Though he was camping in the area as part of a drive to prevent wild elephants entering human habitats, Pollachi DFO P Velusamy or other senior officers of the reserve failed to find time to reach the spot. When contacted, ATR field director Rajeev Srivasthava said the officials will wait till Saturday morning to allow the mother to return and take back the cub. If the mother not returns, it would be taken elsewhere by the department for hand-rearing, he said.
According to department sources, a leopard had given birth to two cubs hardly a week ago after straying into Gajamudi estate which bordering the forests. On Wednesday, the mother left Gajamudi with her one cub and left the other one amidst the tea bushes. ``Estate workers had informed forest officials instantly. ATR authorities soon posted two watchers there. But the abandoned cub was left without food or water and not even a veterinarian was summoned to check its condition,'' alleges V Pradeep, who runs a home stay in Valparai.
Other than posting two anti-poaching watchers to guard the cub, ATR authorities done nothing and even failed to ensure presence of a veterinarian. They even attempted to hide the news from media and general public but TOI managed to access the cub on getting information from some reliable sources in the department.
Though he was camping in the area as part of a drive to prevent wild elephants entering human habitats, Pollachi DFO P Velusamy or other senior officers of the reserve failed to find time to reach the spot. When contacted, ATR field director Rajeev Srivasthava said the officials will wait till Saturday morning to allow the mother to return and take back the cub. If the mother not returns, it would be taken elsewhere by the department for hand-rearing, he said.
According to department sources, a leopard had given birth to two cubs hardly a week ago after straying into Gajamudi estate which bordering the forests. On Wednesday, the mother left Gajamudi with her one cub and left the other one amidst the tea bushes. ``Estate workers had informed forest officials instantly. ATR authorities soon posted two watchers there. But the abandoned cub was left without food or water and not even a veterinarian was summoned to check its condition,'' alleges V Pradeep, who runs a home stay in Valparai.
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