Latest news with #ChhattisgarhForestDepartment
Time of India
06-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Disabled leopards, hyena to move to new rescue centre in Naya Raipur
RAIPUR: In a move underscoring the state's commitment to compassionate wildlife care, the Chhattisgarh Forest Department is preparing to relocate four permanently disabled leopards and a hyena from Nandanvan Zoo in Raipur to a newly constructed rescue centre at Jungle Safari, Naya animals, rescued over the years from various forest ranges, are unable to survive in the wild or be displayed due to their physical impairments and have been under continuous veterinary leopards and a striped hyena, currently housed at Nandanvan Zoo in Raipur due to various disabilities, will be relocated to a newly constructed rescue centre at Jungle Safari, Naya Raipur. The move comes as Nandanvan Zoo faces space constraints and Jungle Safari boasts a larger, dedicated rescue wild animals, all rescued from different forest ranges across Chhattisgarh at various times, suffer from permanent disabilities that prevent their release into the wild or display in a regular zoo to a press release issued by the Nandanvan Zoo and Safari management, a male leopard named Tekram, now 12 years old, was rescued in October 2012 from the Pithora forest range. Another female leopard, Rani, aged four at the time of rescue in August 2015 from the Bagbahara forest range, is blind.A seven-year-old male leopard, rescued in April 2019 from the Moharenga forest area near Raipur, has broken canine teeth. A fourth leopard, Narsimha, a five-year-old male at the time of his arrival in December 2014 from the Balod forest range, suffered from broken canine teeth, a head injury, and glaucoma in one eye. The hyena, a female striped hyena with one missing leg, was rescued in an injured state from the Kanker forest range in January the time of these rescues, Nandanvan Zoo was recognised as a Central Zoo by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), New Delhi, and had an approved rescue centre for injured wildlife , where these animals were initially housed, the release limited expansion possibilities at Nandanvan Zoo, the state government established Jungle Safari in Naya Raipur after the formation of Chhattisgarh, with plans to eventually relocate the zoo. A new rescue centre was built within the Jungle Safari in 2020. However, the continuous influx of rescued animals led to near-full capacity at this new accommodate the remaining animals at Nandanvan Zoo, a budget of Rs 25 lakh was allocated on July 10, 2024, for the construction of a new cell within the Jungle Safari rescue centre. This construction is now complete, with final touches expected within the next two weeks. Following this, the four leopards and the hyena will be safely transferred to the new, larger rescue centre at Jungle Safari. The CZA, New Delhi, has been previously informed about this planned zoo management clarified that the disabilities of these animals make their release into natural habitats impossible, and they are also unsuitable for regular zoo displays. The rescue centre provides the appropriate long-term care they require. Veterinarians at Nandanvan Zoo are providing regular medical attention to all the Nandanvan Zoo and Safari management assured that they are committed to the consistent care and conservation of all the wild animals under their charge.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Himalayan Griffon Vulture rescued in Chhattisgarh completes 1,165 km journey to Nepal
RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh has achieved a notable milestone in wildlife conservation with the successful rehabilitation of a Himalayan Griffon Vulture, Jatayu, rescued from Bilaspur. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now After treatment at Nandanvan Zoo and radio-telemetry tagging, the vulture was released on April 11, 2025, and has since completed a 1,165 km journey through Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Bihar to reach Nepal's Koshi Tappu Wildlife Sanctuary . The continuous monitoring effort, supported by the Wildlife Institute of India, has provided valuable ecological insights. Two other vultures—a White-rumped Vulture and an Egyptian Vulture—have also been successfully rescued and released, underscoring the Chhattisgarh Forest Department's commitment to avian conservation. Jatayu's journey included crossing major rivers like the Ganga and Koshi and traversing diverse terrains, indicating that the bird is in good health and exhibiting natural behaviour. The Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, is supporting the operation by using radio telemetry technology to track the vulture's movements. This technology has provided valuable insights into Jatayu's migration path, roosting sites, and ecological behaviour. The Chhattisgarh Forest Department has also successfully rescued, treated, and rehabilitated two other vultures. A White-rumped vulture, rescued from the Bhanupratappur region, was tagged by BNHS Mumbai and released from Nandanvan Jungle Safari after initial treatment. It initially flew towards the Achanakmar Tiger Reserve and is currently active near Bartara village in Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Additionally, an Egyptian Vulture, rescued from the Raipur-Bilaspur highway, was treated and released and is now regularly sighted around the Abhanpur area in Nava Raipur. Dhammsheel Ganveer, Director of Nandanvan Jungle Safari, commented on the achievement, stating, 'This is a major accomplishment for our state of Chhattisgarh. It will further aid in the monitoring and conservation of both native and migratory bird species.' He further added, 'The journey of Jatayu and the other vultures is the result of scientific and dedicated efforts in wildlife conservation. Such initiatives will provide a new direction to biodiversity conservation in the future.'
