Black cat ‘Bagheera’ attracting tourists at Pench Reserve

 

 

 

Black cat that became popular as ‘Bagheera’ is centre of attraction among tourists at Pench Tiger Reserve. To get a glimpse of black cat, many tourists are visiting the reserve. Though ‘Collar Wali Bhagin’ always remain popular among the tourist at Pench Reserve but this time higher number of people are visiting the reserve to see the cat. This cat is commonly being sighted by visitors walking with other leopards. He was sighted for the first time in reserve when he was two-month-old. In the year 2020, a female leopard delivered three cubs out of which one was completely black in colour. Since then, the cub became popular as Bagheera among visitors.

 

The reserve Director, Vikram Parihar said, “People are saying this black cat a rare one but in reality, this leopard cub has black colour because of excessive melanin in body. The cat’s colour has made it popular among visitors.” He further said that population of tigers has increased to 64 in Pench Reserve during year 2020, including 30 tigers and 34 tigress. There are also 23 tiger cubs in the reserve. He said that there are 7 entry gates in Pench National Park. For watching ‘Bagheera’, one needs to enter from buffer zone of Belia gate. Online ticket worth Rs 1,500 in mandatory for visitors and for jungle safari, it charges Rs 2,500 per gypsy. There are trained guides available for visitors. 

 

 

Three-year-old leopard that fell into 60 feet deep borewell situated in Ratouna village of South Forest Circle, Sagar, will be released into Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary. The leopard is being treated at Van Vihar National Park for a week. The cat was brought on March 6 in critical condition as he struggled in water for 15 hours. While rescuing the leopard, he received several injuries on neck and stomach.

 

Van Vihar officials said leopard is recovering well and this will be fifth leopard to be released into Ratapani wild after treating at Van Vihar. Veterinary doctors at Van Vihar operated the leopard to save his life. Water level in the well was about 10 feet. The leopard fell into well during late night hours of March 5 while following its prey. Villagers witnessed leopard in well during morning hours and informed to the forest department. Rescue team from Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary reached to rescue the cat.

 

Forest Ranger Sarika Kushwaha informed that there was no boundary wall in the well due to which leopard fell down. Residential area was about 200 meter away from the well. Villagers said they heard dog barking throughout night. In morning when villagers reached to place motor in well, they saw leopard. To save his life, leopard was tightly capturing a plastic pipe in the well. Rescue team put a cot in well with the help of rope and then leopard sat on the cot. Water level of the well was reduced with the help of motor and then leopard was tranquillised.