Young leopard fighting fit, ready to return to the wild

Theresia Sufa , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Thu, 11/20/2008 10:36 AM | City

LOOKING FOR FREEDOM: An injured two-year-old leopard, Aceng, looks out of his cage at the Gadog animal center in Bogor. He is waiting to be released back to Karang Mountain in Pandeglang, Bogor, where he was found injured by a trap two months ago. (JP/Theresia Sufa)

Vets are considering releasing a two-year-old leopard caught in an animal trap in August back into its natural habitat in the protected forest area on Karang Mountain in Bogor.

The leopard's rear leg was caught in the trap placed by locals to ensnare deer and wild boar in late August.

Residents of Saninten village, Pandeglang, Bogor, released the animal from the contraption and named the animal Aceng.

Upon learning of the incident, two NGOs, the Animal Sanctuary Trust Indonesia (ASTI) and International Animal Rescue, tracked down the animal, captured it and nursed it back to health at Gadog animal rescue center.

"After two months, its condition has improved. We wanted to release it on Nov. 10, but we postponed it because we have not received any response from the West Java Center for Natural Resource Conservation (BKSDA)," said deputy head of ASTI Bogor Andy Sean Kindangen.

"The BKSDA said before that they would let us release it as long as the villagers were fine with it. So we asked the villagers repeatedly about it and apparently they are looking forward to Aceng's return," he added.

Andy said it was crucial to release the animal immediately, so that it would not become domesticated and forget its survival instincts.

"We are happy if Aceng acts wildly and aggressively. It shows that it is in good condition. If it just stays quiet and lazy, we will be worried ... We are racing against time to release him while he remains in good condition," he said.

Ragunan Zoo, South Jakarta, has said it will accept the creature should it not adapt back to the wild.

Of the 76 animals being held at the center, only 50 are expected to be released back into the wild.

The future of the center, which has been threatened by financial woes, was given a boost recently when the center signed a cooperation agreement with the ASTI, which was formed by animal lovers Andy and Annette Elizabeth Pipe.

The center welcomes animal lovers to adopt the animals in a three-month contract in which the parent would cover the animal's food costs.

The cheapest animal to adopt is a snake that eats Rp 150,000 (US$13) worth of amphibians and reptiles per month.

Fans of the more cuddly animal varieties may opt to foster the center's honey bear at a cost of Rp 800,000 per month.

Source : www.thejakartapost.com