Dimapur, November 6 (MExN): Nagaland Zoological Park, Dimapur, inaugurated its newly established Clouded Leopard Enclosure on November 4, marking an initiative to promote wildlife conservation and public awareness in the state.
The enclosure was formally inaugurated by Vedpal Singh, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF), Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Nagaland.
The occasion was attended by Dr Jim Sanderson, Director of the Small Wild Cat Conservation Foundation (SWCCF), USA; Enyiwekha Wezah, IFS, Director of Nagaland Zoological Park; Dr Giridhar Malla, Founder of the Eastern Himalayas Marbled Cat Project (EHMCP); and members of the EHMCP team.
Dr C Zupeni Tsanglai, IFS, Wildlife Warden, Dimapur Division, also played a key role in facilitating and supporting the initiative, reflecting the Forest Department's continued commitment to wildlife conservation in Nagaland.
A special highlight of the occasion was the naming of the clouded leopards housed at the park, providing visitors with an opportunity to identify and connect with the animals while learning more about the elusive wild cat species.
The newly established enclosure is expected to strengthen the zoo's wildlife conservation and public education initiatives. Clouded leopards, among the lesser-known and elusive wild cats of the Eastern Himalayas, face growing conservation challenges, making public awareness and appreciation of the species important.
On the occasion, Wezah invited the public to visit Nagaland Zoological Park and see the clouded leopards, while encouraging greater awareness and appreciation of wildlife conservation.
