No Case Of Intergroup Animal Clash Reported, Say Officials
By Majid Nabi
Srinagar- As many as nine distinct species of wild animals and birds including the Himalayan Goral, porcupine, common leopard and wild bear have been rehabilitated after successful treatment at the newly established Wildlife Research Cum Healthcare Centre, Dachigam wildlife sanctuary here.
Injured in human-animal conflicts at various locations around this hilly region, more than ten common leopards and about four wild bears were brought to the animal healthcare center since December last, wildlife officials told Kashmir Observer.
Similarly two Himalayan Gorals were also rehabilitated after treatment, while more than three porcupines were also brought to the healthcare facility either in a sick or injured state.
Dr Mohsin, a wildlife veterinarian at Dachigam National Park told Kashmir Observer that nine distinct species of wild animals and birds have been successfully treated and rehabilitated at the newly established healthcare facility at the national park.
The wild animals include, macaques a genus (Macaca) of gregarious Old World monkeys, Himalayan Gorals also referred to as Naemorhedus goral or the gray goral, is a bovid species native to the Himalayas, porcupine, Falcon, wild Kites, common leopard, and wild bears,
Dr Mohsin said not a single case of ‘intergroup conflict’ was reported, as far as the wild animals having been treated at the healthcare facility at Dachigam wildlife sanctuary are concerned.
He said one common leopard which was rescued from frontier Kupwara district in an extremely injured condition undergoes treatment and is doing well.
“Not a single case of intergroup clash was reported to this facility. But the animals which include wild bears and common leopards having received treatment here were the victims of human aggression. Three black bears receive treatment at present,” he said, adding, other animals like porcupine, Himalayan Goral or macaque were either sick or injured for other reasons.
The wildlife veterinarian also said that certain wild birds including falcon and wild kites were also treated and rehabilitated at the healthcare facility.
When asked about how the wildlife rescuers learn that an animal is ill or hurt, he responded that the wildlife department has created rescue cells across Kashmir, through which block officers depute teams for the rescue operations.
He said besides common species, civet cats and common snakes too are being treated at the newly established wildlife healthcare facility.
“Among 10 common leopards, one still receives treatment. The leopard spotted in Kupwara district of north Kashmir was brought in an extremely injured state here, its jaws and claws were broken, but now the leopard is doing well and I hope it too will be released soon,” Dr Mohsin added.
He said some animals suffer permanent damages like their limbs are broken, eye damaged, skeletal muscle rupture, congenital anomaly, oral cavity or abdominal damage or fracture.
“After receiving successful treatment, wild animals, whether sick or injured, are being released. We have USG machines here and soon have a DNA sampling facility as well,” said he.
Regarding common illness among wild animals, he said “not only are those animals which are injured in human-animal conflicts treated here. But sometimes animals having received electric shocks too are being treated here. We put them on IV fluids after administering with tranquilizers,” he said, adding animals too experience liver ailments, anorexia and gastrointestinal issues.
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