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Two female leopards released into the wild after immunocontraceptive treatment

Two female leopards released into the wild after immunocontraceptive treatment

Two female leopards were sterilised in the first such initiative in Maharashtra after receiving immunocontraceptive treatment under a pilot study by the Junnar Forest Division. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change approved the project under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, to explore scientific population management and mitigate human-leopard conflict. Smita Rajhans, assistant conservator of forests, stated, “We will monitor their behaviour in their natural habitat over the next two-and-a-half years as part of the study.” Officials will track hormonal changes to assess the safety and effectiveness of the non-surgical birth control method.

Sources

Hindustan Times

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