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End of an Era In Bandhavgarh: Tiger Pujari Killed In Territorial Battle With D1

The iconic male tiger, admired by thousands of tourists and feared by rivals, reportedly died after a fierce clash in the Khitauli range. Bandhavgarh National Park has lost one of its most recognizable and beloved tigers. Pujari (priest in English) , the majestic male who ruled hearts as much as territories , is believed to have died following a violent territorial clash with D1, another dominant male from the Khitauli range. Tourist guides noticed his sun-salutation poses at water bodies and a priest  like calm in the cat, giving him the moniker.  For wildlife lovers and regular visitors to Bandhavgarh, the news marks the end of an unforgettable chapter in the park’s rich tiger history. Several WhatsApp groups of tourists, guides, and wildlife enthusiasts have been flooded with tributes to the iconic tiger. While many stories circulating after Pujari’s death may not fully conform to scientific wildlife interpretations, they reflect the immense popularity of the big cat and t...
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Selfie With Leopard


Leopard

Over fifty people in a village of central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh risked their life as they played around an ailing leopard .The leopard was    spotted in an isolated area of Eklara Mata village, about 70 kms away from the district headquarter of the industrial town  of Dewas on August 29. The spotted cat is suffering from some neurological disorder which may have been caused by rabies of canine distemper virus. Though the villagers did not harm the animal, they were exposed to the animal bite as they fondled the animal, sat around it and tried to even have a ride before taking selfies.

Leopard Ride ? 

Leopard

Videos taken by them raise  many serious questions. Who is actually the animal? The people taking selfies and having fun with the  hapless spotted cat as they yelled, whistled, jostled to play and to  shoot videos and images  from mobile phones. But beast that seemed to have lost its animal instinct because of the ailment did not react.  People living around the  forest fringes  need to develop  sensitivity towards wild animals for their own safety. 

Also Read: Shhhh - Leopard is watching you 

Those involved in the wildlife conservation also have this huge task to sensitise them.  The place where the leopard was found  has a patch of forest on the banks of Kalisindh river.  When the villagers first spotted the animal, they were scared of it. But soon they realized that  the leopard was not at all reacting to their presence, said a forest department official in Dewas.  They did not harm the leopard and informed us, he said adding,  the leopard was soon rescued  from them and was sent to Indore zoo.  The leopard  had a fever  and  would undergo veterinary tests  on August 31. The tests could not be conducted because of public holiday on August 30.

Risking Life 

leopard

Vikas Mohre, superintendent of the Kheoni  sanctuary in Dewas, about 70 kms away from the  place where the animal was spotted   said that  the  leopard seems to have some serious neurological  problem because of some  infection.  He suspects it could be rabies or canine distemper. The latter is a contagious and serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems . 

Also Read: Drones, Dogs Help Catch Cheetah Nirva In Kuno

Both the infections are caused by dogs. The superintendent said, “ the villagers  risked their life. Imagine  what happens when a  dog with rabies  bites a man. What if the   leopard had bitten  any of the villagers? “. He said that   people should stay away from wild animals in case they spot them anywhere and inform the forest department. According to the leopard census of 2018,  Madhya Pradesh is home to 3,421 leopards, the highest in the country. The latest report is yet to be released. Dewas district has a population of over 100 leopards. 

From Deshdeep Saxena 

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Location: Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, India

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