WILD
ENCOUNTERS
As the burgeoning human population encroaches upon
the natural habitat of wild animals, we are coming
face to face with casualties that are endangering
exotic species. Nasser Lalljee thinks that there is
a way out For this panther who got hit by a truck
and subsequently died, there are a number of animals
who get hurt, either by trucks, burnt by forest fires,
cut by broken glass pieces life by careless picnickers
and other people, and are restored to health by the
forest department and are released back to the forest.
Driving
in to thane from the Mira Bhayander side on early Friday
morning, I saw this huge crowd gathered near Suraj Water
Park Upon inquiring, I was told that a panther which
had been hit by a passing truck was lying in the bushes.
As
the panther was lying under the bushes and there was
a wall on one side, and no escape on the other, Rajan
Chaughule (a photographer friend) kept mentioning that
this was dangerous as the animal could pounce at any
time. No sooner that he said this animal charged. This
animal missed Rajan and got to the policeman’s
ankies instead.
Since
this panther had come out of the bushes and was injured
badly he lay down under the police jeep where we got
more pictures. The forest department arrived, cordoned
of the jeep and captured this panther. On checking with
the forest department later I was told that the animal
had died.
Had
this animal not get hit so badly that it could not move
much, he would have escaped back in to the Yeoor Jungle
and become a man-eater. There are a number of reasons
why the new surroundings and are slowly released in
to natural habitats. In case these birds are incapable
then they are kept in huge cages of approx 200 sq. feet.
Where they are properly fed. The releasing is generally
done after being certified by the vet and in presence
of journalists and other people who are called to witness
the affair. |
