The Unusual Death of a Young Leopard on Mount Abu Raises Conservation Concerns

 How did the young leopard die?

How did the young leopard die

Mount Abu, located in the heart of the Aravalli Range, is a biodiversity hotspot that is home to Rajasthan's elusive leopards. The number of leopard deaths in this region has decreased, showing that conservation measures are effective. However, a recent occurrence has placed doubt on this success tale, when a juvenile leopard's life was cut short under mysterious circumstances.

My niece, a dedicated naturalist and instructor at St. Mary's High School, gave me a heartbreaking WhatsApp video of a juvenile leopard laying still. The lack of evidence of combat ruled out any imminent attack, but doubts lingered: How did this young leopard meet its terrible demise? Was it a natural death, or was something more sinister at work?

The idea of poisoning seemed unlikely because Abu has a lot of trap cameras and regularly checks on the animals in the forest. Given the increasing monitoring of such activities, poaching was also a dubious answer. Could it be a poisonous snake bite? A probable possibility, but we can only speculate until more evidence becomes available.

The video showed that the juvenile leopard's body was being thoroughly studied by wildlife experts from the forest department. A definite answer to the riddle, however, lies with a postmortem investigation, a vital step in uncovering the facts behind this tragic death. Wildlife experts from the forest department conducted a comprehensive study, which they will send to Jaipur's headquarters. This study provides insights that might bring this depressing chapter to a close.

WhatsApp Video 2023-08-22 at 6.56.58 PM.mp4

The death of the juvenile leopard serves as a sharp reminder of the perilous predicament in which these gorgeous creatures find themselves. The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 lists leopards as an endangered species, and we classify them as "Vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List due to habitat degradation, decreasing food sources, and the illegal trade of their skins and body parts.

As updates become available, how this vibrant new life was destroyed will weigh heavily on the minds of environmentalists, researchers, and nature enthusiasts alike. Our united optimism is based on the determined work of the government and organisations charged with protecting these priceless creatures.

The leopards of Mount Abu have caught our imaginations and emotions, symbolising the problematic balance between humans and nature. The mystery surrounding this baby leopard's fate serves as a rallying cry for fresh conservation efforts, emphasising the need to protect these natural riches for future generations.

How this vibrant new life was destroyed will weigh heavily on the minds of environmentalists, researchers, and nature enthusiasts alike as updates become available. The government and organizations are working hard to protect these priceless creatures, which makes us hopeful.

23 Aug 2023

News clip on the cremation of the leopard sent via WhatsApp per kind favour Deepash

An Update on the above report:

Click the link: 👇

Two-year-old female leopard found dead: death due.....

Mount Abu Battles to Manage Independence Day Tourist Influx

 Finding a Balance to appease and control overcrowding of tourists.

Tourists heading up the hill for the weekend 

Per kind favour a concerned Abuite.

                           

Nestled amidst natural splendour, Mount Abu, often hailed as “The Abode of the Gods,” witnessed a remarkable surge in tourist footfall during the recent pre-Independence Day weekend. While the predicted influx brought vibrancy to the hill station, it also brought to light some significant challenges.

From August 11 to August 15, 2023, Mount Abu experienced a record influx of visitors, turning its serene streets into a lively hub of activity. However, this expected outpouring in tourism came with its share of hurdles that the local administration had to contend with.

The picturesque journey up the winding roads of Abu, which provides a tranquil prelude to the stay for travellers, turned into a gruelling trek for many. The ascent, which takes a reasonable amount of time, stretched into hours as the steady stream of vehicles crawled upwards to their respective hotels.

They sent this Video via WhatsApp. All credit goes to the owner of this video.

Among this influx, an unfortunate pattern of unruly behaviour emerged. Reports emerged of tourists sitting atop car rooftops, revelling in open vans and consuming alcohol, showing little regard for the environment. Tourists littered the roadsides with empty cans and bottles or threw them into the valleys below, which marred the natural beauty that I know Mount Abu for.

Late at night on August 13, 2023, a concerning incident occurred at a significant intersection involving a tourist vehicle playing loud music. The presence of a passenger atop the car led to an impromptu street dance that caused a half-hour disturbance. It took the intervention of law enforcement to restore order and allow traffic to flow again.

The events raised important questions about the management of tourism in Mount Abu. Is there a place for such unbridled behaviour in a destination revered for its spiritual and natural allure? Could the local tourism administration have been more practical in curbing such disturbances before they escalated? The time seems ripe to explore avenues for creating selected spaces, such as discotheques, where the spirited energy of tourists can find expression without causing chaos.

As we reflect on these incidents, I invite my readers to share their insights and suggestions. How can Mount Abu strike a delicate balance between providing an avenue for tourists to unwind while upholding the tranquillity and charm that define the destination? Your perspectives are invaluable as we navigate the path ahead for this enchanting hill station.

The impromptu street dance caused a half-hour disturbance.

To see this video click on the video link.

Abu Times Portal 

Interesting Observation for this prolonged weekend

12 Aug - Saturday

13 Aug - Sunday

14 Aug - Medical leave/Casual leave/French leave

15 Aub - Independence Day (Holiday)

India to celebrate its 77th Independence Day.

Let's take a pledge to protect the Peace and unity of our Great Nation,

Happy Independence Day!