Leopard Next Door
Leopard can be anywhere in dense forests, urban localities (periphery) and scrub, denuded forests. The big cat has remarkable ability to survive. Nevertheless man animal conflict is taking a heavy toll of the species which is now endangered.
Leopards are elusive ghost as they are nocturnal in tiger forests. To see a leopard one needs luck as well a keen eye and ears. They roam near villages and wildlife resorts at Kanha during the night time. The carnivore hounds for poultry, live stock and left over meat near human surroundings.
Since long, I knew of movement of a leopard at Mocha in the buffer near the resort in Kanha. I had often heard the rasping in the night during my stay as nature guide in a Jungle lodge nearby. There is an old jungle road at Mocha that leads to the forest tract. It was here that I had often come across leopard spoor.
Leopard Calling!
It was cold winter night we were exploring the surroundings for night safari on jeep that was being planned by the resort. Dusk had settled firm and all around us we could see spotted deer and an occasional porcupine. As a habit we would stop at forested spots and water holes. Here we would throw light on the surroundings to look for small game which are in plenty in the buffer zone.
It was while nearing the resort that I heard the rasping. In seconds, we came to a halt....the call was originating a few yards ahead of us.
"It is a leopard calling," I whispered to the manager and driver. I knew, if we kept a pin drop silence the leopard might surface. It did, after a few minutes of deathly silence and palpitating hearts.
I could see eyes shining in the adjacent bush..."Not a deer I am sure," I whispered. For the shining eyes were frontal as of carnivores and the call was certainly that of the leopard.
The animal was lightening fast, one quick glance towards the headlights and in a flash it was gone unto the shrubs across. We could see the whole stretch of the animal as it sprinted across the jungle road. That was it...a leopard on the road ....the ghost in the darkness.
Leopards are difficulty to see as they are shy and nocturnal. Hence we were all happy while returning back. One more notch on the memory card.
