Community Education to Save Leopards From the Brink of Extinction

So many of the world’s most incredible animals are disappearing from the face of the

earth. Rhinos and elephants are vanishing from the planes of Africa because of illegal poachers and the orangutans’ habitat in Indonesia has been decimated by the palm oil industry. Leopards can also count themselves amongst these iconic endangered species.

Leopards are one of the most strikingly beautiful creatures left on the planet. Their sinewy bodies float with an otherworldly grace as they stalk through forests and their beautifully patterned fur undulates hypnotically as they drape themselves over a well-shaded tree branch for a nap. But there is nothing beautiful or graceful about a leopard trapped in a well.

Due to rapid urbanization, the leopards’ habitat in India is disappearing and because of this they are forced to live in close proximity with humans . . . and their wells. However, Wildlife SOS’s team at the Manekdo Rescue Center is working to save these big cats from man-made obstacles and much more. The team has been facilitating human/animal conflict mitigation conferences which include park rangers and local villagers. At these conferences, conservationists and local farmers and businessmen come together to find solutions that will further the interests of wildlife and people who inhabit the region. Wildlife SOS states that these meetings have been, “quite fruitful in terms of developing a deeper understanding and overcoming this highly sensitized problem.” But there is still more work to be done.

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/news/rescue-center-using-education-to-save-leopards/?utm_source=Green+Monster+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=e8cdd7b3fd-NEWSLETTER_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bbf62ddf34-e8cdd7b3fd-106919241