Adult leopard rescued from Soreng Busty, relocated

GANGTOK, : In a successful wildlife rescue operation, an adult male common leopard (Pantherapardus) was captured and relocated by Soreng Wildlife Range team today. The leopard was rescued from Nesurgaon, Soreng Busty following a meticulously planned operation.

The rescue operation was initiated after a series of sightings and incidents of cattle lifting were reported from the area.  After the monitoring of the leopard’s movements using camera traps, the team installed a leopard capture cage at Nesurgaonon June 15. The chosen site was deemed suitable due to the high frequency of leopard activity and the extent of livestock damage in the vicinity. “Reports of cattle lifting was received from other nearby villages as well but considering the frequency of its sightings and quantum of damage incurred the present location was felt ideal for installing the cage,” informs a press release.

The common leopard, listed as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List, is among the few big cats foundin the Indian subcontinent. Despite its wide distribution and adaptability across varied habitats, the species faces ongoing threats due to habitat loss, poaching and human-wildlife conflict. They are found straying nearby human settlements often leading to conflicts.

Soreng dsitrict, in particular, has witnessed a gradual rise in human-leopard conflict in recent years. Forest officials believe the availability of easy prey at forests nearby village settlements and availability of abundant domestic livestock could be one of the factors leopards stray in human settlements.

This rescue marks the sixth successful capture and safe release of a leopard from human habitation in Soreng district over the past two years.

Forest officials confirmed that the rescued leopard was in good health. After a preliminary examination, it was safely translocated to a safe habitat away from human settlements.