*LEOPARDS: THE FORGOTTEN BIG CATS*

Last week I visited the Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden. I

did not get  the chance to visit the zoo for the last couple of years; and as some of my

friends informed me that a few big cats were added to the collection
recently, I was pretty excited. Of course, they were right; the zoo had a
nice collection of tigers and lions, which included a couple of rare white
tigers. They were rightfully provided with a big spacious enclosure, which
look very similar to their natural habitat in the wild. The authorities at
the Assam State Zoo have indeed done a great job. However they, along with
the layman, seem to have forgotten one “thing”; the most successful of the
big cats- Leopards.

The leopard is the smallest of the four “big cats”. It was once found
across eastern and southern Asia and Africa; but because of hunting and
loss of habitat, its range of distribution has decreased radically. The
leopard is the most successful of the “big cats”. The species’ success in
the wild is part due to its opportunistic hunting behavior, its notorious
ability of stealth and its unequaled ability to climb trees even when
carrying a heavy carcass. One of the major reasons behind its success is
its adaptability to habitats. Its habitat ranges from rainforest to desert
terrains. The leopard is one of the most beautiful animals that one will
have the good fortune of seeing in the wild. In the words of the great Jim
Corbett “There is no more graceful and interesting animal in the jungles to
watch.”

However, the zoo authorities seem to have taken them for granted. Whereas
the lions and the tigers are provided with vast enclosures, the leopards
are kept in groups in small cages which are insufficient for them. These
poor creatures can be seen pacing to and fro in these enclosures, which
even restricts the movement of two at the same time. To add to their
misery, some of the visitors are also seen molesting them, as they can get
very near the animals. These people seem to obtain great satisfaction by
making them growl. And as there are no guards near the leopard enclosure,
these actions are carried out unhindered by anyone. Even the locks in the cages are in need of immediate replacements.The Assam State Zoo has a long history of animals escaping from their cages. It was only last year that a tiger got out and caused panic inside the zoo.  

I, personally, don’t know why the authorities don’t provide the leopards
with bigger enclosures just like the other “big cats”. There is ample space
inside the zoo for this purpose. Leopards are very shy animals in the wild;
one can stay many weeks in the jungle and yet he may not see one. By
keeping them so close to the people, their natural behavior is severely
disturbed; and this in turn may affect their health adversely. The time is
ripe for us to take necessary measures, otherwise the day is not far away
when we will lose this majestic and graceful creature...