Sambalpur: In a very romantic story of a leopard couple, Raja, a recently rescued leopard, is engaged in a romantic moment with Rani, the existing female Leopard, at Sambalpur Zoo.
The male Leopard aged about 8 years old, who killed 2 human beings & injured one at Nuapada district in 2023, was captured on November 5. It was then brought from Nuapada to the Rescue Centre in Sambalpur Zoo under Hirakud Wildlife Division on November 8, 2023.
After 11 months of treatment in quarantine of Sambalpur Zoo, On September 9 this year, the Male Leopard was released in the same Night house where the female is in Sambalpur Zoo but both were kept separately without physical contact for acquaintance & for increasing chances of pairing.
They were under 24/7 observation for behavioural study. Both Rani & Raja were found to be compatible with each other & were observed communicating with each other in a friendly manner for one month, even trying to reach the other, Zoo officials said.
On November 9, both Raja (8 year old) & Rani (7 year old) were released together in one enclosure as they were found to be compatible. Within a few hours of release in one enclosure, female Leopard “Rani” was seen cautiously approaching the male Leopard “Raja”, low growls and sharp snarls were heard from both partners by the visitors watching this sight at Sambalpur Zoo today.
Copulation behaviour of female flirting with male, rubbing her tail over him and grooming him was clearly seen while copulation process was on.
The leopard male is generally expected to mate with the female for 1 to 5 days. The pair has already started getting engaged in a lot of chasing inside the enclosure & mating on average four times an hour is continuing. CCTV cameras have been installed in the display enclosure for 24/7 observation & to ensure safety.
The leopard enclosure at Sambalpur Zoo was expanded during 2023 to 550 Sq. Mtr for accommodating two or more leopards.
Glass view facility has been developed during 2024 for display of two leopards. The 20 feet by 7 feet Glass viewing area has been created for better visibility and viewing experience by visitors, they said.
Hammocks have been created for leopards & bears in Sambalpur Zoo for comfort to animals as an enrichment.
It is the same Male Leopard rescued from Nuapada. From today it is in the same enclosure with the female leopard in the new Glass View Enclosure, the officials said.