Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, Feb 7: While the focus of human-wildlife conflict often centers on human casualties, a quiet battle is being waged at the animal rehabilitation center in Dachigam National Park on the outskirts of Srinagar.
Here, injured and traumatized animals, many victims of this same conflict, are treated and rehabilitated before being released back into their natural habitats. The center has become a vital sanctuary for wildlife caught in the crossfire of growing tensions between humans and animals in the region.
Dara, a leopard brought to the center two years ago, is one of the many success stories of this rehabilitation effort. After causing a stir in central Kashmir’s Budgam district by mauling a young girl and injuring several others, Dara was captured by wildlife officials following an extensive search.
Now, after two years of recovery, Dara is nearly ready for reintroduction into the wild. His skin gleams with health, a sign of the intensive care he has received. “His condition is improving, and after evaluations, our experts believe he is fit to be released back into his natural habitat,” said Fida Hussain, Range Officer at the rehabilitation center.
Dara’s story is just one example of many, as the rehabilitation center deals with a range of animals, including brown and black bears, which arrive either injured or exhibiting aggressive behavior as a result of human interaction.
The center, operational for the past 15 years, follows strict protocols to ensure the animals’ well-being. “When we receive an animal, we start with blood biochemistry analyses, which include examining sodium, potassium, and lipid levels. This helps us determine the health of the animal’s organs, including the heart and kidneys,” explained Dr. Mohsin, a veterinary officer with the Kashmir Department of Wildlife Protection.
“Trauma is common in these cases, especially spleen ruptures from the impacts of human conflict. Animals with such injuries cannot be released immediately; they need rehabilitation,” he said.
The scale of human-wildlife conflict in Kashmir is staggering. As per the official data nearly 24 bears and 44 leopards have been killed, while over 200 people have died and 2,000 have been injured in wildlife encounters between 2011 and 2020. Urbanization has disrupted wildlife corridors, forcing animals into closer proximity to human populations.
Parvaiz Ahmad, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), suggested that human behavior plays a key role in the rising conflict. “Leopards and other animals do not seek humans, they are attracted to the presence of stray dogs and our waste. If we manage our waste scientifically and properly treat our solid refuse, it could greatly reduce conflicts,” he said.
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