This blog is also at Facebook (plus other updates) if you wish to comment.
A conversation with the District Forest Officer just a few minutes ago is another step forward for the vision of a purpose built Leopard Rescue Centre within the constructs of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation as a whole. Thanks Bindu for the post below, tracing the beginnings. So much work has gone on strategy and increasing understanding. There is the model with the leopard Asa and the current rewilding post with the two young leopards under the supervision of NTNC's Dr Asis Gurung with backup from wildlife technician Tika Ram Tharu.... there'll be a report on that when it is appropriate. There's also verbal approval for a rewilding post in the west of the country plus Bardia Chief Warden Ramesh Thapa has a proposal forwarded to Government for a more general Rescue and Rehab Centre in that area. There is a consultation process taking place.
My own emphasis is very much on a specialized leopard unit as everyone who follows these blogs knows, there are many issues around these big cats. So the work goes on, it's a constant and evolving process and as I've mentioned the Leopard Task Force concept will be published next week after more meetings.From Monday WildTiger obtains the legal status required to further support these options.
All this is all fine but the proposal by Government as discussed in the posts at Facebook (see previous blog here as well) yesterday is a huge concern. Legalizing trade in this way will have major negative consequences. This proposal will be examined and opposed. It is vital Nepal gets it right, decisions made now affect wildlife conservation forever.
