Darjeeling,
April 21: One killed and eaten, another missing from its enclosure.
Project Panda has suffered setbacks in the acclimatization and release
departments.
The doubts debacle has exposed several
shortcomings in the post-release monitoring of the critically endangered
animals. Millie, one of the first pair of pandas released on November 14
last year, has been killed and eaten by a leopard. In the other
incident, a tree uprooted by a storm, fell into the Gairibas acclimatistion
enclosure giving Dolma, one of its residents, an easy escape route.
Dolma reportedly escaped from the enclosure in the "second
or third week of March".
Millie, who had a radio-collar fitted to her neck at the time of
release was last sighted on February 27.
"She (Millie) was probably killed by leopards in the area
sometimes in mid-March. Her remains and the radio collar have been
found," said S Dhondyal, the director of Padmaja Naidu Himalayan
Zoological Park, which is conducting this rearing and release programme.
Project Panda is the first ever effort of zoo authorities in the
country to release endangered species reared in captivity into the
wild.
Though Millie's death is being seen as "natural" - red
pandas feature low in the food chain - Dolma's escape has raised
questions on the post release monitoring of the animals.
"The pandas, after being introduced in the wild, were being
supervised by zoo officials. However, we are short-staffed and have
only one tracer," Dhondyal said.
The official said he also wanted more people to supervise the animals
that are transferred to the acclimatization enclosure.
In a bid to strengthen the post-release monitoring of animals in
the wild, zoo authorities have contacted Wildlife Division officials
for their participation in the process.
Around 26 red pandas were sighted in Singalila Wildlife Sanctuary
during a census in 1994. The animals are reportedly extinct in Senchel
Sanctuary.
Project Panda had excited conservations across the country and
zoo authorities had also made plans to release red pandas in the
Senchal area, a task which was considered more difficult than the
Singalila project.
"We will wait for a couple of months more before we release
Neelam (Dolma's partner who did not escape from the enclosure) in
the wild," said the director. Millie's partner, Sweetie, however,
has been accepted in the wild and authorities are hopeful that it
will successfully breed with its wild cousins and help fulfill the
project's objective.
Zoo officials can also salvage some pride in the process.
Red pandas are one the most endangered species in the world, with
less than 2,500 surviving in the wild. The animals are on the decline
and there are reports that the species has already vanished from
four of the seven Chinese provinces where it was found.
Apart from Laos and Myanmar, red pandas are also found in the northeastern
states of India and the Mountains of Nepal and Bhutan.
Courtesy
The Telegraph |
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