Captured problem leopards from Chandrapur dumped in Gadchiroli?

Nagpur: The decision to capture an animal should be the last option, and animals trapped after deliberate attacks on humans should never be released back into the wild, says the MOEFCC guidelines for human-leopard conflict management. However, defying these norms, four leopards, three of them problem animals, were released into the wild by Chandrapur officials recently.Also, some were released far away from their home range, violating another MOEFCC guideline.
Of these four leopards, two were from Saoli, one from Halda in Brahmapuri and one from a forest area near a village close to CSTPS. While three leopards were released in late-night operations immediately after capture in July and August, the CSTPS leopard was released three months ago.
According to sources from the field, these animals were released in Chaprala wildlife sanctuary and Sironcha division of Gadchiroli circle. Earlier too, such leopards were clandestinely released in Gadchiroli forest areas.
However, Chandrapur CCF NR Pravin said, “We released one leopard in Kanhargaon Wildlife Sanctuary while others were released in Chandrapur district, where there was no human habitation in close vicinity.”
“On July 27, a female leopard was trapped in a cage at Saoli forest range. As a male was involved in attacks, the female was released in Gadchiroli,” said sources.
However, the guidelines say, “If the captured leopard is to be released, it should be within the animal’s home range. Leopards are highly adaptable animals and exhibit amazing homing instincts.”
On August 3, a male leopard was trapped at Saoli. It was involved in killing a woman on July 13, while she was sleeping in the front yard of her house. On July 14, a leopard mauled a farmer from Samda while he was working on his farm. Another woman was mauled while she was sleeping inside her house in Wagholi Buti on July 20. Vyahad, Samda, Wagholi Buti, Konapur, Kapsi villages were reeling under leopard threat.
Despite the trapped animal being a problem leopard, it was also released in the wild in Gadchiroli. The guidelines state that animals trapped after attacks on humans should never be released back into the wild.
“A translocated leopard trying to navigate to its home territory through dense human landscape may lead to increased incidence of conflicts rather than reducing the same. By translocating problem leopards, forest officials have shifted the conflict to other areas,” say experts.
PCCF (wildlife) Sunil Limaye said, “If it is a rescue operation, it is fine to go ahead, but if a problem leopard needs to be captured or released back in the wild my permission is mandatory. I will have to check whether permissions were granted.”
Gadchiroli CF Kishore Mankar said, “I have no idea or information about leopards being released in Gadchiroli.” Similar was the reply from Sironcha DyCF Sumeet Kumar.
CCF Pravin said, “Of the three leopards released recently, two had permission from the PCCF (wildlife). We released one as it was caught accidentally. All attacks in which the male leopard was involved were accidental cases and it was not a man-eater. We did not release any leopard in Chaprala, as the last time we released an animal it created problems. We released them in low-density areas.”
Pravin added, “We are facing a problem of plenty as there is no space to accommodate these leopards. Gorewada Rescue Centre is overflowing, besides rescue centre in Chandrapur lacks space. We cannot keep such animals for long in captivity to avoid human imprint on them.”
MOEFCC GUIDELINES
* No animal captured after deliberate attack on human should be released into the wild
* Such animals should be monitored by marking them with microchips and ear tags or colour coded collars before release
* Radio-collars should be put on a sub-set of released animals to monitor post-release movements and survival
* If captured leopards are to be released, they should be released within their home range
* Best to avoid translocation, as translocated leopards can traverse back a distance of 400km to return to their home territory