The Spotted Cat - Leopard in Bandhavgarh!

I have seen and photographed many tigers. But finding a leopard in the wild is always special. Known to be very shy and elusive, leopards are masters in tricking anyone.

The jungle of Bandhavgarh holds a very high density of tigers. With so many tigers around leopards are even harder to sight. Though not many tourists and photographers choose Khitauli zone for their safari, I recommend it as the best zone in Bandhavgarh to see leopards. In my personal experience, I have always seen a leopard on my drives to Khitauli. I've come across a couple in courtship, cubs, males wandering around and all. 

The forest department in Bandhavgarh has closed nearly half of the area in Khitauli after the Apex Court ordered for limiting the tourist area. But Khitauli is still by far the best area, mostly unexplored and a birders paradise.

The leopard at Bandhavgarh

Marjatgarh, an area situated in the centre of Khitauli has a watch-tower from where you can have a bird’s eye-view of the jungle. We planned to visit marjatgarh, as there are some water bodies near the area which attract tigers and other animals. On our way to marjatgarh, all happened in a flash. Here we were right in front of a male leopard who was trying to cross the road. Stood right in front of our vehicle and then rushed towards the other end of the road. Before it vanished in the thick forest it turned around, posed and walked away. What a sight it was!

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The New King!

As they say time never stops for anyone. Bamera took over his father’s dynasty in no time. He made his plans clear when he started visiting the grasslands of Tala. He has been known for aggressively expanding his empire’s frontiers. In 2010, Bamera came up front with his father B2. The father was badly wounded and had to step back. With the death of B2 in 2011, it was time for all to bow down to the new king in Bandhavgarh!

It is very hard for tiger cubs to survive till maturity. To get rid of the future rivals cubs lose their lives to males other than their own father. Some vanish in search of a safer haven and never return to their usual territory while some go missing forever. Poached or even killed in territorial mishaps.

Born to a very courageous mother Chakra, Bamera had to leave tala at a very young age in search of territory. B2 was in his prime and was not letting any tiger intrude, be it his own son. Bamera had to fight his way up the chain of command. It was B2’s own blood who could take on him and conquer him. With time he grew and was all set to win it from his father.

The ancestry of “Charger” and “B2” has now passed on to all together a new generation of tigers. Today the new king has taken over most of the region of Tala. The king has about 5 females in his kingdom. Bamera keeps exploring his dynasty, while keeping an eye out for his enemies and has built his empire strong and safe for his cubs to grow. 

Here are a few pictures I have clicked of Bamera.

Bamera near Siddhababa temple, Bandhavgarh National Park.

Leopard attack! Rescue Operation. Man Vs. Wild!

06.30 am, Khamaria woke up to fear and shock. A lady was attacked by a leopard in a residential colony in Khamria, Jabalpur. The incidence took place not more than 10 kms from the city. After the attack when the residents of the building got up and searched for the animal it ran and took shelter on a eucalyptus tree. The poor animal had no other option than to sit on the tree whole day. The mob that had gathered to see the leopard was very noisy and was disturbing the staff as well as the animal. On a few instances the leopard growled in anger and rushed down a few branches just to show its anger. The animal was stressed and had no way out. It was surrounded by thousands of people.

Thousands had gathered to see the leopard. It was very hard for the staff that had come to rescue the leopard to control the crowd of thousands and also rescue the leopard.

The trap was laid. But it was very hard for the officials to control the mob. Then it was decided to wait till it gets dark. The crowd could be cleared and they could go more easily with the operation. The safety of the people and the animal both were of prime importance to the team.

As per sources that were also present at the spot, the leopard got down 02.45 am and ran towards the forest. Though the poor leopard was lucky to escape, but the fear still remains! The natural habitat of the leopard was just a kilometer away from where it was spotted. This was not the first time when an animal had lost its way.This is another big example of man-animal conflict.



Leopard on the eucalyptus tree.



The poor animal could not do anything but just wait for the mob to clear.








The officials controlling the mob.



Watching the team get ready for the operation.

The trap!

LEOPARD'S DEATH IN RAJASTHAN

While watching news on the television yesterday, I saw something which was really shocking. It was something which no one could ever thought of. We take the forest officials as the saviors of wildlife and when they turn into killers is something that is not expected by anyone. This incidence made it very clear that how much the officials are worried about the wildlife and how much trained our officials are.

A Leopard fell into a well in Nauwa Village about 70 kms from Udaipur district in Rajasthan. The villagers reported this matter to the forest department but There was no sign of the rescue team for long. After the team reached to the spot where the Leopard was fighting a lost battle, The people were relieved that the leopard would be saved. But no one would have imagined the fate of the poor leopard.

The Team of Forest Officials started their work. Rescuing an animal from the well needed some experts, who could lay a plan to save the animal. But there seemed to be no expert or any doctor present at the spot.

The Plan: Pull the Leopard out of the well by tieing a rope around its body.

Chaman Singh, A Forest Official said that we cannot tranquilise the leopard as it might drown.

What actually Happened: The rescue operation started as was planned. A rope was tied along the body of the Leopard which later slipped and formed a noose around the poor animals neck. The animal was then pulled out of the well and was put in a Cage. Initially the Leopard was in a state of shock and later it died in the Gulab Bagh Zoo in Udaipur.
The post mortem report indicates that hunger, anaemia and shock are the other plausible reasons for its death.

What should have been done: In an interview, Mike Pandey, Wildlife Expert and Documentary Film Maker, suggested a better and a correct way that should have been applied to save the Leopard’s life. As we all know, Leopards can climb trees and poles, He suggested that a big log or a long wooden plank should have been placed near the Leopard and it could have come out on its own.

Some doctors also say that the Rescue team should have taken more precautions while pulling the animal out. They should have given it support with a plank or cot while pulling it out.

The investigation will be over.. The cause will be known.. But I have some questions..

• Why was a team which was not trained for such operations sent to the spot.. ??
  
• Why wasn't a doctor present at the spot.. ??
• And who should be held responsible for this loss.. ??

Whatever may be the cause of the Leopard death.. The fact is that we have lost One more.


Photo of another Leopard killed. (Not of the leopard in the above post)

In a country where these Big Cats are fighting for their lives every moment, Every Death is a BIG BIG LOSS..