Snow leopards breeze through Kolkata on way to Hills

TNN | Oct 6, 2013, KOLKATA: Customs officials at Kolkata airport rose to the occasion and cleared the documents for the two snow leopards that arrived from Poland in a jiffy on Saturday morning. 

While it usually requires at least two hours to get any consignment cleared by Customs, the process was fast-tracked and completed in just 20 minutes to spare the leopards from cold climes an agonizing wait in the oppressing heat. 

The two leopards — female siblings aged two years and four months — arrived in the belly of an Emirates aircraft at 8.45am, half an hour behind schedule. Bound for the Padmaja Naidu National Himalayan Zoological Park from Lodz Zoo in Warsaw, the leopards had transited at Dubai airport before travelling to Kolkata. 

By the time the cages were wheeled out of the cargo hold, it was 9.05am. Though doctors from the Central Zoo Authority and Darjeeling zoo found the animals to be in good health, the cats were getting tired fast in the sultry weather. "The leopards were getting drowsy. So we urged the Customs officers to expedite the clearance procedure. They did the needful within minutes," said Darjeeling zoo estate manager Sirimoni Syangden. 

According to him, snow leopards need temperatures below 16 °C. 

However, they can survive with discomfort till 24 °C. If temperature rises further, it leads to progressive discomfort and distress. Hence, immediately after clearance, the leopards were rushed to the quarantine facility in Narayanpur that has a temperature controlled shelter. 

At the facility, the leopards were fed a kilogram of chicken each. 

Though full-grown snow leopards usually consume 2-2.5 kg meat daily, doctors reduced the diet as the animals were tired. The leopards were also served mineral water to prevent any stomach trouble. With a journey of 634km along NH 34 ahead, Syangden was not willing to take risk. 

Darjeeling zoo director AK Jha, meanwhile, oversaw final arrangements for the snow leopards before they arrive on Sunday. 

"We are waiting anxiously for the new arrivals. We have made arrangements for the leopards to recover in seclusion. They should be up and about in a couple of weeks," he said.