Bhubaneswar: In a significant development, the eight-year-old male leopard, Raja who had killed two humans earlier, was seen mating with the existing female leopard, Rani at Sambalpur Zoo.
The development marks the culmination of an 11-month rehabilitation process for Raja, who was rescued from Nuapada district in November 2023.
After being rescued, Raja underwent treatment and quarantine at the zoo’s rescue centre. On September 9, 2024, he was introduced to Rani’s night house, albeit separately, for acquaintance and behavioural study. After a month of observation, zoo authorities deemed the pair compatible and released them into the same enclosure on November 9, 2024.
Within hours, visitors witnessed the leopards’ initial interactions, characterized by cautious approaches, low growls, and sharp snarls. Female leopard Rani (7) displayed flirting behavior, rubbing her tail over Raja and grooming him. The pair has been mating frequently, with an average of four times an hour.
To ensure the animals’ safety and provide an immersive experience for visitors, the zoo has installed CCTV cameras and created a 20×7 feet glass viewing area. The leopard enclosure, expanded to 550 square meters in 2023, now features hammocks for the animals’ comfort.
The glass view enclosure, a first in Odisha, offers a unique opportunity for visitors to observe these majestic creatures up close.
Zoo authorities continue to monitor the leopards’ behaviour, ensuring a safe and enriching environment for the newly formed pair. With Raja and Rani’s successful mating, Sambalpur Zoo is optimistic of increasing the leopard population in the zoo.
