Leopard caught in wire snare dies

MYSORE: A leopard trapped in a wire snare inside Bandipur tiger reserve died on Friday.

This comes two months after a gang of poachers was arrested for placing jaw traps inside the Biligiri Ranga Tiger (BRT) wildlife sanctuary.

Not related. 

Authorities suspect that the trap was laid by locals to catch a boar or a hare. The leopard, around 8 years, was found dead in a snare in N Begur forest range near Katwalu village. The feline died because of the injuries sustained while trying to claw out of the snare, said forest officials. A Special Tiger Protection Force team has been asked to probe the crime along with jurisdiction forest officers, said Kumar Pushkar, director, Bandipur Tiger Reserve.

Authorities have intensified checks inside the forest and said that they have not discovered any other snares in the reserved area. Pushkar ruled out the role of any organized gang laying the trap. “Going by the way the trap was laid we are sure that it was done by the locals,” he added.

In July BRT reserve authorities had arrested a six-member gang from Haryana for laying jaw traps for tigers inside the reserve area. The jaw traps would be activated in the night. In the morning they would be dismantled and stowed away.

Following their arrest, patrolling was intensified and checks were conducted to discover traps.

Former Kumki Kavita unwell

Kavita, an elephant from the K Gudi elephant camp, a regular at the Dasara celebrations since years is battling for survival.

The 75-year-old kumki (accompanying) elephant has poor vision in one eye because of which it has been a victim of minor accidents in the forest. Recently it stumbled in the forest injuring herself badly.

Kavita

The elephant is weak and unwell from the past 15 days. No veterinarian from the department has visited K Gudi camp to treat the elephant. “It is aged and there is no point in treating it,” allegedly said a doctor when he was told of the elephant’s suffering.

However, Biligiri Ranga Tiger (BRT) wildlife sanctuary director Vijaya Mohan Raj denied that elephants in the camps are being neglected . He denied allegations that Kavita was not being treated. “In fact, we have started giving special food to the elephant so that she gains energy. She is responding to treatment.” he said.

News Link:-http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-15/mysore/33862059_1_jaw-traps-bandipur-tiger-reserve-elephant

Probe after deer killed by illegal snare in Motherwell

An investigation has begun after the remains of a deer, which had been caught in an illegal homemade snare, were found in Motherwell.

The remains of the deer were discovered at the former Ravenscraig steel works site

The animal was discovered by Strathclyde Police and the Scottish SPCA on 29 May at the former Ravenscraig steel works site.

Only the deer’s skeleton remained, suggesting it had been caught in the snare some time ago.

The Scottish SPCA said the incident highlighted the need for a snare ban.

Chf Supt Mike Flynn said: “This poor deer would have suffered a horrendous death as a result of being caught in this homemade and illegal snare.

“Thick wire had been attached to a tree with a loop on the end which was positioned at the deer’s head height.

“The deer would have walked straight into it, becoming instantly trapped, and the wire would have choked it to death.

“It could have been caught a number of weeks ago but we can’t be sure as only the skeleton remains.”

The charity has advised pet owners and dog walkers in the area to be vigilant.

Mr Flynn added: “It is not at all uncommon for domestic animals, as well as wildlife, to be caught in snares, which are indiscriminate and cruel.

“While snaring continues, suffering will continue. That’s why the Scottish SPCA is in favour of an outright ban.”

Anyone with information about the snare is urged to contact the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999 or Strathclyde Police on 0141 532 2000.

News Link:-http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-18322262