Kanpur: The way, the two rescued leopards and a bear have died in quick succession at the Etawah Safari Park, wildlife experts and enthusiasts said that their death should not be taken lightly and, as a committee was formed to investigate the death of five cubs of lioness Sona, the same should be done into the death of rescued leopards and other wild animals.Although the report of the committee was to be tabulated in July, it has not come yet.A few retired wildlife officials, who had served in top positions, shared their personal experiences regarding the functioning and shortcomings of Etawah Safari. Rajiv Chauhan, general secretary, Society for Conservation of Nature (SCON) said that just as a committee comprising senior wildlife officials and experts from other states zoological parks was formed to investigate the death of five cubs, a committee should be formed to investigate the death of two leopards and other animals that have been brought to Safari park after being rescued from other parts of the state.A retired senior wildlife officer, who had worked extensively in the Lion Safari, meanwhile said that first of all there is a need for permanent qualified staff of veterinarians.He recalled the time when Safari lions were battling a disease called canine distemper. At that time, the forest department had hired director of animal operations at United Kingdoms Longleat Safari Park, Jonathan Cracknell to check the health of ailing lions, he said and added, That killer disease was stopped to a great extent by the effective step of the administration.Another senior retired officer said that as far as tapeworm in food is concerned, the same food must have been given to other animals, so why was only leopard affected? There is some other reason behind it which should be studied closely and controlled effectively. As far as the death of lioness Sonas five cubs is concerned, it was because those cubs were born so weak that their mother rejected them, he said. And this is natural in the case of the lion, which is considered as a royal animal. Also, this shows negligence on the part of Safari staff, wherein lioness Sona was not properly looked after during pregnancy, he added.

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