MYSORE: Animals, it seems, are divided into two classes the privileged, lucky, zoobred ones and their unfortunate counterparts in the wild forests. None illustrates this better than the death of a leopard cub from the Nugu Forest area at Sargur on H D Kote Road, due to snake bite.The two-and-half year old leopard cub, named Rama, received initial treatment and was allegedly denied treatment later, when it needed the most, by the authorities of Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens on grounds that it was not a zoo-bred animal, and that it may be spread infection to the other animals of the zoo. An eyewitness told Express that this led to Rama's eventual death on August 2.About a year ago, two leopard cubs were found abandoned in Nugu Forest near Sargur; the forest department had rescued them. A forest official, on condition of anonymity, said: "We fenced an acre of forest land to create a natural environment for the cubs and left them in it. We would leave a live goat or chicken in it for them."When Rama was bitten by a viper on its neck recently, the chief veterinarian of Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens arrived within four hours, and administered antivenom to the leopard cub, after which it started recovering."However, sources add, after ten days, its health began to deteriorate and it refused to eat or drink. Worse, no doctor was available to look after the cub. At this juncture, the zoo was contacted again and the cub was brought to Mysore zoo.An official explains that the leopard was given a basic checkup, and more medicines along with antibiotics. "They told us that the leopard was suffering from Laryngitis and a lump was forming in its throat. We had to take the animal back to H D Kote."Three days later, the condition of the leopard deteriorated. When the Mysore zoo was contacted again, authorities exercised their 'diplomacy' and refused treatment to the leopard.When contacted, Mysore Zoo Executive Director B P Ravi told Express, "I have taken charge only on August 1; I do not know about the incident." He suggested that zoo deputy director Vijay Kumar be contacted for details. He confirmed that a leopard was treated in the zoo, but refused to comment further on the issue. "The leopard does not belongs to the zoo authority."Zoo Chief Veterinarian Dr Suresh Kumar admitted that Rama was suffering from laryngitis after it was bitten by the viper. He expressed ignorance at the fact that the death of the cub was due to lack of treatment. He said, "We treated the animal once as per the directions of the then executive director KB Markandaiah."Earlier, the forest department had planned to keep the leopard cubs at Sargur for a while and then send them to either the Mysore zoo or Bannerghatta Zoological Park, Bangalore.Authorities are reportedly planning to shift the other cub, Lakshmana, to Bannerghatta National Park as it was allegedly refused accommodation in the Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens.
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