The leopard ( Panthera pardus ) , often referred to as the Prince Of Stealth due to its secretive nature and highly successful hunting strategies. Known for its powerful rear legs capable of taking prey many times larger than itself on to tree tops , and the distinctive spotted coat that blends in to the surroundings providing it the perfect camouflage. Unlike the tiger , the leopard is smaller and is known to live in outskirts of forests close to human in-habitations. Its one of the most adaptive big cat and is known to feed on everything from large antelopes to rats and even on fish for its survival.
When the whole world began to chase the popular trend of saving the 'Worlds Favorite Animal' , we should not forget these smaller big cats which also require special attention. Unlike tigers which rarely take a visit to nearby human settlements, leopards are more adventurous and may feed on livestock or on street dogs from the villages nearby its territory.
The worst part is that hundreds of these cats have been killed in the last decade in our country and there by bringing their already shrinking populations one step closer to extinction. Many of these leopards have been mercilessly beaten to death by desperate people who cant wait for the animal rescue forces arrive. Many consider the killing of a leopard as an "ACT OF HEROISM".
We are not living in those stone ages where people considered these animals just as man eaters.But the modern world describes them as precious lives and as creatures in need of protection . More over, killing a female leopard also kills its helpless cubs,which are left alone to painfully starve to death .
The only way to put an end to this public slaughter of our leopards could be made possible only by creating public awareness beforehand about the importance of these iconic creatures in the forest ecosystem. The should be trained to keep calm and act intelligently on the occasion of a leopard sighting in a populated area. This is particularly important for those people living in the outskirts of forests in-order to safeguard their life as well as that of the leopards of that area .
There is absolutely no heroism in killing or harming a wild animal no matter how potentially dangerous it could be. The one who wisely avoids confrontations with wildlife and could provide an opportunity for a mutual coexistence with the other lifeforms defines a true Hero in the modern sense. Taking life is the easiest part. But the reverse.......You know that it is a different story.
Even without our interference, these animals will have a hard time surviving in the wild. So why should we jeopardize their precious lives. Lets share our world with these poor creatures and have lets a peaceful coexistence.
The worst part is that hundreds of these cats have been killed in the last decade in our country and there by bringing their already shrinking populations one step closer to extinction. Many of these leopards have been mercilessly beaten to death by desperate people who cant wait for the animal rescue forces arrive. Many consider the killing of a leopard as an "ACT OF HEROISM".
We are not living in those stone ages where people considered these animals just as man eaters.But the modern world describes them as precious lives and as creatures in need of protection . More over, killing a female leopard also kills its helpless cubs,which are left alone to painfully starve to death .
The only way to put an end to this public slaughter of our leopards could be made possible only by creating public awareness beforehand about the importance of these iconic creatures in the forest ecosystem. The should be trained to keep calm and act intelligently on the occasion of a leopard sighting in a populated area. This is particularly important for those people living in the outskirts of forests in-order to safeguard their life as well as that of the leopards of that area .
There is absolutely no heroism in killing or harming a wild animal no matter how potentially dangerous it could be. The one who wisely avoids confrontations with wildlife and could provide an opportunity for a mutual coexistence with the other lifeforms defines a true Hero in the modern sense. Taking life is the easiest part. But the reverse.......You know that it is a different story.
Even without our interference, these animals will have a hard time surviving in the wild. So why should we jeopardize their precious lives. Lets share our world with these poor creatures and have lets a peaceful coexistence.
