Delhi's lone leopard to be shifted to Uttarakhand

New Delhi: Fearing that the stray leopard may “pose danger” to humans in the nearby areas, Delhi’s lone leopard, spotted in Yamuna Biodiversity Park recently, is likely to be shifted to the Rajaji National Park in Uttarakhand by the city government.

However, the decision, taken a day after a leopard was hacked to death by angry villagers in Gurgaon’s Sohna area, has left the authorities of the DDA-run park (under Centre) in a quandary as the leopard’s presence had thrilled ecologists and scientists alike.

Delhi environment Mmnister Imran Hussain said that the sighting of the wild cat was a “good indicator of quality forest area,” while expressing concern that the lack of security measures may pose danger to people residing in nearby areas.

“It is my dilemma as an ecologist. We are here to address the trophic structure and the presence of the leopard completes it. Its presence ensures a complete food chain and gives us satisfaction that we are doing things right,” Faiyaz Khudsar, the scientist in-charge at the park, told a news agency.

When contacted, Delhi’s chief wildlife warden A.K. Shukla, who is the custodian of all animals within the boundaries of the national capital under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, said the decision was taken considering the fact that stray animals tend to get ferocious after one point.

“It has strayed from its group. And shifting it becomes important especially after what happened in Gurgaon,” Mr Shukla said.