Satellite Collar Deployed on Leopardess in Pilibhit Following Village Attacks
A significant wildlife management operation unfolded in Pilibhit district, Uttar Pradesh, as a four-year-old leopardess was successfully fitted with a satellite radio collar after being involved in multiple attacks on villagers. The exercise, conducted on Saturday, marks a proactive step in human-wildlife conflict mitigation in the region.
Rescue and Collaring Operation Details
The leopardess was rescued from Chandaiyapur village, located approximately 5 kilometers from the Dhaurhara forest range within the North Kheri Forest Division. The operation was carried out by a team from WWF-India, led by biologist Rohit Ravi, acting on the directives of the state's chief wildlife warden, Anuradha Vemuri.
According to forest range officer Nrapendra Chaturvedi, the leopardess was implicated in mauling three villagers in the same village on February 13. In response, the forest department set up a cage with live bait the following day. However, the elusive animal managed to evade capture until February 20, when she was finally trapped and tranquilized.
Following the collaring procedure, the leopardess underwent medical observation by veterinary officer Dr. Daya Shankar at the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. Subsequently, she was released into the Gerua forest range of the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday, as confirmed by field director H. Rajamohan.
Technology for Wildlife Monitoring
The satellite radio collar represents a technological advancement in wildlife tracking. Rajamohan explained that the device will transmit precise coordinates of the animal's location directly to the forest department's computer system. Additionally, signals will be received through a very high frequency antenna during field monitoring activities.
This dual-tracking capability is designed to help prevent the leopardess from straying into rural areas, thereby reducing the risk of future conflicts with human populations. The initiative underscores the department's commitment to leveraging technology for conservation and safety purposes.
Injured Leopard Spotted in Sugarcane Fields
In a related development, a limping leopard was observed moving through sugarcane fields in Kajri Niranjanpur village, under the jurisdiction of the Seramau North police station in Pilibhit district. The animal was initially sighted in Rampura Kon village on February 12 before moving to the adjoining area.
Divisional forest officer Bharat Kumar DK of the Forest & Wildlife Division promptly deployed a monitoring team to trace the leopard. A cage with live bait was placed on Friday afternoon with the aim of capturing the animal and relocating it to a zoo for necessary medical treatment.
Rescue Efforts and Safety Concerns
On Saturday, the chief wildlife warden granted permission to tranquilize the leopard to facilitate its rescue and potentially save its life, as stated by the DFO. Veterinary officer Dr. Daksh Gangwar of the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve examined a video of the animal and confirmed an injury to its right foreleg.
Forest officials have expressed concern that the injury could compel the leopard to target easier prey, including humans, due to reduced mobility and hunting capability. In light of this, an advisory has been issued to villagers, outlining essential safety measures to prevent any untoward incidents.
The simultaneous handling of these two cases highlights the ongoing challenges and responsive strategies employed by wildlife authorities in managing human-animal interactions in forest-adjacent regions of Uttar Pradesh.
