Michael Yeptho (3rd from left), Mughato L. Awomi, Disurai Kaurinta with Zoo Rescue staff.
Dimapur, July 14 (MExN): The Animal Rescue Team of Nagaland Zoological Park, Rangapahar rescued one female Asian Black Bear (Ursus Thibetanus Laniger) from Thahekhu village of Dimapur district on July 13.
In a press release, Dr C Zupeni Tsanglai, IFS, Director Nagaland Zoological Park, Rangapahar said, “contributing to the conservation efforts of the zoo and the Forest Department of Nagaland in general, Michael Yeptho, Ato Kilonser NSCN (Akato Faction) has particularly taken keen interest during the follow-up of rescue of this animal that was found abandoned in the wild as an infant.”
Lauding the efforts of Yeptho to save the cub, the director said, “It was due to his compassionate heart for the lives of animals, he readily had the cub rescued from the clutches of the wild predators. And ultimately decided to hand over the animal to the zoo for rehabilitation knowing the fact that the survival of the cub is rest assured in the zoo.”
Dr Zupeni said that the Asian Black Bear also known as Asiatic Black Bear, Moon Bear or White-chested Bear is a sub-species of Himalayan Black Bear and is a Threatened (Vulnerable) Species under IUCN(3.1) and a Schedule II (Part I) species protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
She said that these bears are medium-sized bear native to Asia and mainly inhabits the Himalayas from South-eastern Iran, Northern India to parts of South East Asia.
“Rescue of this species that was on the verge of becoming a predatory meal is indeed a commendable contribution towards the conservation efforts of the department,” she said and added, “the zoo wishes to see more in the future that such like-minded person come forward to save the little of what our state have as wild species.”
