How a fitness regime and a diet of greens is saving Mumbai's leopards
Tue, 31 May 2016-12:40pm , Mumbai , dna webdesk
Sanjay Gandhi National Park has formed a fitness regime for the leopards falling prey to lifestyle illness.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai has chalked out a fitness regimen for the leopards who were to be found falling prey to lifestyle illness, a Hindustan Times report said.
The report also suggests that the big cats have been put on a leafy vegetable diet and have been given medicinal balls to play with. Since this initiative kicked off, the animals have not fallen ill and have had their weight under check.
According to the report, Sanjay Gandhi National Park officials have ensured the leopards follow the regime that includes the diet and exercise. The new menu for the feline creatures has beef, accompanied by a variety of plants which includes shrubs, palatable grass and medicinal plants which help in digestion.
Range forest officer, Shailesh Deore told HT that only consuming beef can lead to acidity and to control that, the leopards are fed plants to aid digestion. “Initially, they seemed to resent the change in taste but got accustomed to it over time. None of the leopards have suffered from digestion-related ailments in a year,” he said.
Due to unavailability of a natural environment, the leopards often fell prey to stress. To avoid such occurrences, and create a better environment, the feline creatures are provided with wooden medicine balls and artificial waterholes.
Vikas Gupta, chief conservator of forests at the park was quoted in the report saying that the artificial waterholes are made with stones from riverbeds which then bring about a natural feel and help the animal unwind.
In order to make the park more natural to the leopards, the authorities have tried to replicate forest-like feel by putting together worn out branches. While talking about how the initiative is showing results, Shailesh Pethe, a veterinarian was quoted in the report talking about how the leopards are now able to maintain their weight within prescribed limits.
