Uttarakhand Wildlife Rescue Centres Operating Beyond Optimal Capacity
Nearly all wildlife rescue facilities across Uttarakhand are currently functioning at or beyond their maximum carrying capacity, creating significant challenges for animal welfare and management. Officials have confirmed that multiple centres are housing far more animals than their designed capacity, raising serious concerns among wildlife experts about the wellbeing of rescued leopards.
Critical Overcrowding at Major Rescue Facilities
The situation is particularly severe at several key rescue centres throughout the state. The Chiriyapur Rescue Centre in Haridwar, originally built to accommodate nine leopards, is currently housing approximately 23 animals - more than double its intended capacity. Similarly, the Dhela Rescue Centre in Corbett holds around 14 animals against a sanctioned capacity of just 10.
At the Ranibagh centre in Nainital, five leopards are being kept beyond its official capacity of five, while similar overcrowding has been reported at the Almora facility. Most centres are currently housing leopards in makeshift arrangements including temporary huts, enclosures, cages, and kraals due to the space constraints.
Expert Concerns About Animal Welfare
Wildlife experts have raised serious concerns that the restricted space and limited movement opportunities could lead to increased stress and heightened aggressiveness among the captive animals. The management of these captive leopard facilities is governed by strict guidelines under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and the Central Zoo Authority (CZA).
These regulations stipulate that each leopard must be provided with an enclosure containing a minimum of 250 square meters of covered space and at least 100 square meters of open area to ensure adequate movement and proper welfare. "Ample staff, medication and basic comfort are being provided to the rescued animals at the centres," a senior veterinarian assured, though acknowledging the challenging circumstances.
Human-Leopard Conflict Drives Rescue Numbers
Officials attribute the rising number of rescues primarily to increasing human-leopard conflicts across the state. In January alone, at least four leopards were rescued from different districts of Uttarakhand. The districts of Nainital, Pauri, Almora and Pithoragarh have been particularly affected by these conflicts.
Several factors contribute to this surge in human-leopard encounters, including challenging terrain, forest paths that lead to schools and anganwadi centres, and the presence of isolated human settlements within leopard habitats. Animal care personnel at rescue centres note that leopards are typically brought in after being injured in territorial fights, mating-related encounters, or other natural interactions in the wild.
Road accidents and cases directly linked to human-wildlife conflict also represent common reasons for rescue operations. Officials have noted that frequent leopard sightings and incidents of livestock depredation have heightened public concerns, increasing pressure on authorities to capture and rescue animals perceived as threats.
Government Response and Future Plans
Ranjan Mishra, Head of Forest Force (HoFF) of Uttarakhand and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), addressed the situation by stating, "Both humans and wildlife are valuable to us, and our efforts are directed towards protecting both." He outlined the government's response to the capacity crisis, revealing that additional enclosures are being set up at Chiriyapur and Dhela rescue centres.
Furthermore, new rescue centres will be established in Rudraprayag, Pithoragarh and Champawat districts to better accommodate rescued wildlife. This expansion aims to address the growing need for proper facilities as human-leopard conflicts continue to rise across the state.
Assessment and Release Challenges
Animal care personnel explained that leopards involved in repeated conflicts with humans or livestock are, in some cases, declared "unfit" for release into forest habitats following comprehensive assessments by forest officials in consultation with wildlife experts. These decisions are made carefully, considering both animal welfare and public safety concerns.
According to forest department estimates, Uttarakhand's tiger-bearing forests support a leopard population of approximately 3,000 animals, indicating the significant scale of wildlife management challenges facing the state. The ongoing capacity issues at rescue centres highlight the urgent need for expanded infrastructure and improved conflict mitigation strategies to ensure both human safety and wildlife conservation.
