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Captured leopard breeds new conservation hopes
The capture of a Javan leopard in Malang, East Java, was a blessing in disguise for the rare animal's conservation, a park official says
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T
he capture of a Javan leopard in Malang, East Java, was a blessing in disguise for the rare animal's conservation, a park official says.
General Manager of Taman Safari Indonesia (TSI) park in Prigen, Michael Sumampow, said the fate of the animal, captured by residents last week and currently being held at the park, would be up to the authority, including if it is going to be re-released.
"*The leopard* could provide a new bloodline to be used as a mating pair to help preserve the species' population," he said.
The critically endangered Javan leopard was trapped by residents in Poncokusumo village, Malang regency, last Saturday.
According to TSI veterinarian Nanang, the leopard appeared to be very stressed, likely because of regular encounters with humans.
"Basically, a Javan leopard is reluctant and afraid to meet people. But if it has come down from the mountain and entered a village, there must be for a reason *for that behavior*," he said.
"It's likely the leopard went to the village to search for food."
The Javan leopard is on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's red list of critically endangered species.
Residents contacted officials at Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) and the Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) after capturing the leopard.
TNBTS and BKSDA then asked TSI Prigen to help transport the leopard and provide it with temporary shelter.
After two days in the shelter, the leopard has still proven itself reluctant to eat food provided by the park.
Head of TNBTS Trisula region, Bambang Rudi, said the plummeting number of leopards can be directly linked to the destruction of their habitat for human settlement and agriculture.
In the past 10 years, Javan leopard was rarely seen in a radius of some 20 kilometers from settlement area.
Currently, he estimated, there are some 10 Javan leopards around the park area.
Bambang said that leopard's footprints and scratches on trees are still found on the western slope of Mount Semeru.
