Bir Talab awaits female leopard

Sameer Singh

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, December 23

The project to introduce a female leopard at Bir Talab zoo here hangs in balance in the wake of restraint being observed amid Covid.

At present, there are three male leopards in the zoo. The authorities had written to the state Wildlife Department, requesting them to provide one female leopard and one pair each of painted storks and hog deers. However, no headway has been made in the project.

Forest range officer at the zoo Pawan Shridhar said, “The process for getting a female leopard at Bir Talab zoo was started well before the lockdown, but it got halted due to Covid-19.”

Shridhar added, “Now that the situation has improved, we are hoping that residents of the Malwa region will get to see a female leopard in Bir Talab zoo soon. It’s a basic requirement as the absence of a female leopard often triggers aggressiveness among male leopards in closures.”

“We have also listed demand for painted storks and hog deers in view of their aesthetic appeal,” added Shridhar.

Divisional Forest Officer Swaran Singh did not respond to numerous attempts to know his take on the developing situation.