Express News Service
First Published : 21 Aug 2010 08:33:11 AM IST
Last Updated : 21 Aug 2010 10:43:56 AM IST
KOCHI: Gross negligence by the authorities, who are supposed to protect wildlife, has resulted in the death of a wild animal.
A leopard, which fell into a trap meant for other animals at the Chenduvara Estate in Munnar on Thursday, died, after it remained caught in the trap for over 20 hours. It is alleged that though the forests officials visited the spot immediately after the incident they did nothing to rescue the animal.
Sources said the leopard was entangled in a trap at the estate on Thursday at around 12 p.m.
The trap, meant for wild animals, was kept there by the farmers to protect their crops. Immediately, Forests Department officials were informed about the incident.
Munnar divisional forests officer Mahesh, along with veterinarians Arun Zachariah and Sunil, visited the spot. Additionally, they kept a forest guard as a watcher.
The officials returned to the spot around 9 a.m. on Friday. Sources said the animal was alive till 8.30 a.m. “They could have rescued the leopard on Thursday. It died owing to the delay on the part of the authorities.
“Does it not amount to the hunting of wild animals? The authorities should take action against those responsible for the incident,” M L Jayachandran, president, Society for Prevention of Crueltly to Animals (SPCA), Idukki, said.
The SPCA has filed a complaint before Forests Minister Binoy Viswom, seeking action against the officials.
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