The Chamundi Animal Conservation, Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, the State’s second animal rescue centre, near Mysuru, has expanded its premises to accommodate more wild animals shifted for rehabilitation or after rescue.
Two new blocks with eight holding rooms have been constructed at the centre. Five leopards, which were shifted from Tyavarekoppa Lion and Tiger Safari near Shivamogga, were the first to be moved to a new block. Besides holding rooms, each block has day-crawl facilities for free movement of animals. Another block is also ready to put up more animals.
The centre already has eight holding rooms where tigers, cheetah and leopards are housed. A wildlife veterinary hospital is also nearing completion.
The rescue centre was developed at Koorgalli village, off the Mysuru-Hunsur road, by the Mysuru zoo two years ago. This is the second such centre in the State after the one at Bannerghatta Biological Park in Bengaluru. The centre was developed as the zoo lacked space on its premises to house wild animals brought for rehabilitation.
The Zoo Authority of Karnataka has been allotted about 113.21 acres in Koorgalli village for setting up the country’s biggest Gaur (Indian bison) conservation breeding centre.
Mysuru zoo executive director C. Ravishankar told The Hindu that leopards in surplus had to be shifted to the Mysuru rescue centre to ease congestion at Tyavarekoppa. While four of the five leopards were born in captivity at the safari, one — a female — was rescued.
Champa and Drona, elephants of Mysuru zoo, are among the animals housed at the rescue centre besides six tigers.“The question of displaying Tyavarekoppa leopards at the Mysuru zoo does not arise as the zoo already has eight leopards that are in good health. Maybe, after some time, a decision will be taken on displaying these big cats,” he said.
Mr. Ravishankar said the five leopards were shifted only after getting the Central Zoo Authority’s consent.
Only ailing or disabled animals, or those that cannot be displayed at the zoo for certain reasons, can be shifted to the rescue centre. Rescued and injured animals from the forests are often brought for treatment. They mostly include tigers and leopards, with two national parks located in close vicinity.
