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Queries mount from leopard attack

Heart-rending as the recent incident at the Dehiwela zoo may be, of a sixteen-month-old child being mauled by a leopard, the question needs to be asked: how did it come about?

As far as we are aware, more than the minimum safety precautions are taken at the zoo. Cages are securely closed, and viewers of the animals are separated from the cages by iron railings which have been installed at a safe distance from the caged animals.

Highly visible signboards, display panels and the like provide visitors with the necessary information, including safety measures which need to be adopted by them. How, then, did the child come within clawing range of the leopard?

We do not wish to rush to conclusions in the absence of more substantial information on the chain of events which led to the tragedy, but it is possible that the child was brought too close to the cage, to enable the leopard to savage the child. Could it be that the instructions at the site were not adhered to by those in whose care the child was? This vital aspect of the incident needs to be investigated in particular although other possibilities cannot be ruled out. Investigations may also centre on whether the usual instruction boards close to the caged animals had been installed in this instance and were clearly visible to the viewers.

In other words, every aspect of the incident needs to be investigated and valid inferences drawn for the future protection of visitors to the zoo.

It must be remembered by viewers that a conventional zoo is more thwarting and restrictive in its impact on animals than open-air zoos or wildlife sanctuaries where animals move around in a natural ambience with greater scope for the working out of their basic instincts and cravings.

However, the restrictive environment of a conventional zoo is likely to be less welcomed by an animal. Under these circumstances an animal is likely to be more restless, particularly at meal time, and as a result, more aggressive. It is for these reasons that while maximum safety precautions need to be taken by the authorities of a conventional zoo, visitors to such a zoo too need to scrupulously adhere to these instructions.

Very often a mood of playfulness seizes crowds which visit the zoo. Enthralled by the sights at hand and in high spirits, it is possible and indeed observable that some visitors tend to overlook the relevant instructions issued by the authorities for their safety. In view of the fact that an impartial investigation needs to be carried out we wish to refrain from commenting any further on this incident until all findings in relation to it are made public.

As a general rule, the authorities need to take maximum security measures at the zoo.

This is particularly needed in view of the fact that the Dehiwela zoo is now increasingly patronized as a place of enjoyment by the wider masses. It must be remembered that for these sections public places of pleasure, such as the Dehiwela zoo, offer much needed relief from a life of mounting economic and other pressures. Accordingly, they must be rendered absolutely safe.

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