Scientists spot leopard at Yamuna Biodiversity Park for first time

Scientists and other support staff have captured picture of a leopard at the Yamuna Biodiversity Park in north Delhi. This is seen as a positive sign for the ecosystem.

A security guard at the Yamuna Biodiversity Park claimed to have spotted a big cat-like animal two weeks ago. Scientists and other staff of the park found pug marks of the animal.

The total estimated population of leopard is around 11,000. The biodiversity park came into being from a barren piece of land, where village boys used to play cricket.

The first phase, an inactive floodplain, is about 157 acres and it was extended to another 300 acres of active floodzone in 2014. It now houses grasslands, forests, wetlands, orchards, herbal gardens and even a butterfly garden in full bloom.

The British Empire’s capital in India shifted to Delhi from Calcutta, rewards were given amounting to Rs 908 for the destruction of leopards, wolves and snakes. Subsequently, with hunting and urbanisation, the big cats disappeared totally.