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India.com
7 days ago
- General
- India.com
Gangtok's Himalayan Zoo Welcomes Twin Red Panda Cubs As Lucky Turns Mother
Two tiny red panda cubs recently made their debut at the Bulbulee Himalayan Zoological Park in Gangtok. With their large eyes and close-knit presence, the newborns add fresh hope for conservation amid declining wild populations. For now, they'll stay with their mother in a secure enclosure for approximately one year before being gradually introduced to the public, Says BJP Leader Dilip Ghosh on X. Four tiny eyes,huddled together in silence.2 new guests have arrived at Gangtok's Bulbulee #HimalayanZoologicalPark .Red panda'Lucky'gave birth to two cubs. For now, they will remain with their mother in enclosure for a year, after which they will be introduced to the visitors. — Dilip Ghosh (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DilipGhoshBJP) August 1, 2025 The birth of Lucky's cubs is particularly significant because red pandas (Ailurus fulgens) continue to be under threat from habitat destruction, poaching, and illegal wildlife trade. According to ICUN, less than 10,000 individuals remain, with only 2,500–6,000 in India, scattered across high-altitude regions like Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Darjeeling, and Meghalaya. Red pandas in India are primarily found in the Eastern Himalayas, specifically in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal. They inhabit high-altitude, temperate forests with bamboo undergrowth. Red pandas rely on dense bamboo forests in the Eastern Himalayas, but rapid deforestation, habitat fragmentation from logging and road-building, and illegal poaching for fur and exotic pet trade have drastically reduced their numbers. Despite international protection under CITES Appendix I and India's own Wildlife Protection Act, enforcement gaps persist. Community-based conservation efforts and captive-breeding programs—such as those at Darjeeling's Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park—are critical. The Park recently pioneered rewilding programs and genetic biobanking, and now hosts a "frozen zoo" to preserve endangered species' DNA, including that of the red panda. "Wild Wonders: These Rare Creatures Will Melt Your Heart" They are of two dfferent species: Himalayan red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens), resides in the mountains of northern India, Tibet, Bhutan, and Nepal, and the Chinese red panda (A. fulgens styani), lives in China's Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. Red pandas are mostly solitary animals, except during mating season or when a mother is raising display dense reddish‑brown fur on top, black underside, with a white face and tear‑like markings under the eyes. Their bushy tail has faint rings, Reports Britannica
IOL News
11-07-2025
- IOL News
Death of young leopard in gin traps near Heidelberg raises wildlife protection concerns
A 13kg male leopard killed after becoming ensnared in two gin traps. Image: Supplied CapeNature has confirmed the death of a young leopard following a call to assist in a rescue operation in the Heidelberg area, near the World Heritage Site of Boosmansbos. Officials discovered the 13kg male leopard, estimated to be around six months old, ensnared in two gin traps set adjacent to each other. One front paw and one hind leg were caught. Despite the best efforts of the rescue team, the leopard did not survive. "The incident is a reminder of the legal implications and ethical responsibilities surrounding wildlife," CapeNature said. "Leopards are a listed Protected Species in terms of the Western Cape Nature Conservation Ordinance 19 of 1974. "The species is also listed under CITES Appendix I. "It is illegal to hunt a leopard without a permit. "Furthermore, the use of any trap to hunt a leopard, including cage traps, gin traps, or leg-hold traps, remains illegal in the absence of a permit and constitutes a criminal offence. "Any form of cruelty or suffering inflicted on an animal is also a criminal offence in terms of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962." Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ CapeNature said it is investigating the incident, and a case docket has been registered with police. 'CapeNature understands the challenges faced by landowners and farmers, particularly concerning livestock management and is working together with the agricultural community and partners to implement effective, non-lethal solutions for preventing livestock loss. "Solutions are always possible through dialogue,' said CapeNature CEO, Ashley Naidoo. "The tragic death of this young leopard highlights the importance of adhering to the laws protecting our wildlife, and we urge the public to report any illegal activities.' Leopards are a cornerstone species of the Western Cape's ecosystem, playing an important role in maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance. As apex predators, they contribute to the health and resilience of the environment. Despite their critical importance, leopards have already lost 75% of their historical distribution area. They are currently classified as Vulnerable on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In the Langeberg Area, leopards are known to have very large home ranges, indicative of their need for expansive, undisturbed habitats. Contrary to common misconceptions, less than 1% of their diet consists of livestock, indicating that most of their food comes from wild prey. In a separate event in April 2025, a leopard attacked livestock on a farm close to Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve, resulting in one calf being killed and another injured. The area has a history of leopard presence due to its proximity to mountainous terrain. The adult male, estimated to be around seven years old and in good condition, was successfully captured. Later, under the supervision of CapeNature and a veterinarian, the leopard was released back onto the same property and fitted with a tracking collar to monitor its movements. The leopard has not attacked any livestock again since being collared. "CapeNature encourages continued engagement from affected landowners, farmers, and the public to promote preventative mitigation, ethical and coordinated wildlife management practices, while also acknowledging the challenges of conserving wide-ranging species such as leopards in shared areas. "CapeNature and the Cape Leopard Trust have updated the Landowner's Guide to Human-Wildlife Conflict to help Western Cape farmers manage challenges where agriculture meets the wild. "The refreshed booklet promotes non-lethal, proactive methods to reduce conflict, with new content on predator mitigation, carcass inspections, and the ecological value of wildlife." Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
Time Out
10-07-2025
- Time Out
Tragedy in the Langeberg: Young leopard dies in illegal gin trap
CapeNature has confirmed the unfortunate death of a young male leopard caught in two illegal gin traps near Heidelberg, close to the Boosmansbos World Heritage Site. The six-month-old cub, weighing just 13kg, was found on 2 July with one front paw and one hind leg caught in the traps. Despite a rapid response by CapeNature's rescue team, the leopard succumbed to its injuries. This devastating incident, now under investigation by CapeNature and the South African Police Service, underscores the serious legal and ethical responsibilities of landowners under both local and international wildlife laws. Leopards are listed as a Protected Species under Western Cape legislation and CITES Appendix I, making the capture or killing of them without a permit a criminal offence. Gin traps and other leg-hold devices are banned for this purpose, and their use constitutes cruelty under the Animal Protection Act of 1962. CapeNature CEO Dr Ashley Naidoo emphasised that dialogue and non-lethal solutions are essential: 'We understand the challenges faced by landowners and farmers… Solutions are always possible through dialogue.' In recent months, leopard-related conflicts have also been reported. In April 2025, an adult male leopard killed a calf on a farm near Grootvadersbosch. That leopard, estimated to be seven years old, was captured, collared, and released under supervision and has not attacked livestock since its release. While leopards are often mischaracterised as livestock predators, CapeNature notes that livestock makes up less than 1% of their diet. The death of this young leopard draws attention to the urgent need for education, collaboration, and lawful practices. CapeNature and the Cape Leopard Trust have responded by updating the Landowner's Guide to Human-Wildlife Conflict, promoting practical, non-lethal methods to reduce conflict. The guide is now available in English and Afrikaans. This incident also comes shortly after CapeNature's 2025 Snapshot: New Species, Big Threats was released, which revealed both encouraging biodiversity wins and mounting threats to wildlife across the Western Cape. From the discovery of new freshwater species to intensified habitat pressure due to climate change and land-use shifts, the snapshot highlights the fragile balance of the Cape's ecosystems. The young leopard's death is a sobering reminder of what's at stake. As custodians of the Western Cape's biodiversity, CapeNature continues to call on the public to report wildlife crimes and support ethical, informed conservation. City of Cape Town 107 or 021 480 7700 on cellphone Overberg 028 425 1690 West Coast 022 433 8700 Eden 044 805 5071 Central Karoo 023 414 2603 Cape Winelands 021 887 4446
