This Independence Day, a young leopard, which was captured in Sonepur after straying into a shop last month, could get the gift of freedom from the Forest and Environment Department.
But there are two views on setting the big cat free. A section wants it back in the wild, while another, apprehending for its life, wants that it be housed at the Nandankanan Zoological Park, where it is currently lodged, and which also happens to be the only rescue and shelter centre for the wild animals of the State.
The issue is now in the court of Forest and Environment Minister Bijayshree Routray, who has strongly advocated that the leopard be released back into the wild. On Monday, he held discussions with Chief Wildlife Warden Janardan Dibakar Sharma and recommended that the leopard be released again.
“I want the big cat back where it belonged. This will be my first job after taking over as the Minister of Forest and Environment. Unless something extraordinary happens, I am keen on its freedom. We are just waiting for the floods to recede,” Routray said.
In fact, the Department has lately been receiving quite a few representations. Some have strongly advocated for the big cat’s release while apprehending that the zoo could use the male leopard for mating with the two females. Since 1985, Nandankanan has been home for straying leopards, but mating has not been carried out using the wild ones.
While the current situation has presented a scenario for captive breeding, the zoo would require permission from the Central Zoo Authority in this regard.
On the other hand, the release of the big cat into the wild is fraught with risks. The guidelines say that the wild animal must be released in the region from where it was rescued. In this case, in Sonepur, from where the leopard was captured, forest cover is next to nothing. Besides, the region is currently witnessing flood. Bird’s of Orissa Forum, a forum on wildlife, on Monday submitted a petition to Chief Wildlife Warden Sharma to press for its release but cautioned against hastening the decision.
“Leopards are highly territorial, and if released by mistake in another territory, it could lead to human-animal conflict. So sustainability and suitability must be assessed before its release,” the forum said. Sharma said: The matter is with the Government. The Department would wait for Mahanadi and Tel rivers to recede so that its release could be facilitated.
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