More cages to rescue wild cats

In a bid to ease the process of capture, treatment and release of the wild cats, the forest department will acquire 12 more cages for Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre.  As per a report published in the Times of India, chief conservator of forests (CCF) - territorial, for Pune, Vivek Khandekar said, “The 34 existing cages at Manikdoh have been running full. Owing to the sugar cane harvesting season, many leopards will be found in these farms. The new cages will come handy for the rescuers to carry on with their works.” Most of the holding capacity of the centre was being used to house leopards that have spent enough time in captivity to not be able to survive in the wild. Senior veterinarian at the rescue centre Ajay Deshmukh said the forest department has sanctioned 10 new leopard cages and 2 cages specifically for cubs. In the next two months the process of building cages would be completed. "The current cages are already full. Because of this, when new leopards are captured, they are released immediately in the wild if are fit. Also at times, we have to get few of the older leopards in the same cage for about 10 days until the new animal is treated and released. In certain situations, we have to even keep the animal in a trap cage," Deshmukh said.