Minchulli, five-year-old black leopard at Tyavarekoppa Tiger and Lion Safari, near here, was re-introduced for public viewing from August 8.
Minchulli is the main attraction for visitors at Tyavarekoppa safari and is the only black leopard in captivity in Karnataka at present. The leopard was suffering from alopecia, a condition of hair loss. The animal was taken off public viewing in the first week of June and was being treated in an isolated enclosure.
Vinay S., senior veterinary officer of Department of Forest and Wildlife, said that as it was established through the laboratory tests that the animal was suffering from alopecia, the supplements of essential nutrients necessary for re-growth of hair was provided to it daily in an oral manner with the meat. During treatment, the animal was subjected to thorough medical diagnosis. Barring alopecia, the leopard had no other health problems. By the first week of August, the hair had completely grown on the bald spots and the animal was in good health. After consulting the experts in College of Veterinary Sciences, Shivamogga, it was decided to re-introduce the animal for public viewing, he said.
