Luck is yet on Laxmis side!
Its a question of Laxmis health. And no less a person than Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata is concerned about the 19-year-old leopardess. In fact, Tata is keen on flying down some South African specialist vets to treat the ailing Laxmi. But a decision on that will be taken after the Jijamata Udyans Zoo Improvement Committee sits down to decide what has to be done with Laxmi.
The plight of the leopardess made news after Tata involved himself in the case. For eight months, Laxmi had been languishing in the zoo hospital, suffering from a paralytic attack that immobilised her hind legs. The zoo authorities, who love the leopardess and are worried about her deteriorating condition, had actually considered putting her down. We couldnt bear to see her suffering and thought mercy killing would be the best thing for Laxmi, one keeper said. A date had actually been set, and Laxmi was going to be put to sleep on July 15, but two days before that the zoo developed cold feet. The authorities feared a severe backlash from animal activists and NGOs in the city. And Laxmi was given a reprieve. Thats when Tata stepped in.
It is not just Tata, but a Mumbai-based animal welfare NGO, the Vansmith Animal Foundation (VAF) too that has evinced interest in Laxmis case. However, the decision to bring in the South African experts and bear the expenses is Tatas alone. Tata was out of town and therefore unavailable for comment, but Vandana Smith, the head of VAF, said, I dont have the details about the doctors from South Africa. Tata is in the forefront to treat the animal. I was against killing Laxmi. The leopardess is not completely inactive. She is very friendly with the workers at the zoo. But they should make her do exercise by moving her. Keeping her caged in the hospital will only kill the animal.
Despite Tatas largesse, a decision to fly in the South African specialists will be taken only after the Zoo Improvement Committee of the BMC meets later this week. We are happy that Tata and Vansmith have come forward to help the suffering animal. But a decision cannot be taken by a single individual. The Zoo Improvement Committee is meeting this week especially for this issue. It comprises representatives of the zoo, naturalist Bittu Sahgal, and dean of the Bombay Veterinary College Dr. Abdul Samad. The committees decision will be final, said A. L. Paranjape, Public Relations Officer of Jijamata Udyan.
Dr. M. S. Karawlekar, the zoos vet, said of Laxmis condition, She is not that bad. Her appetite and bowel movements are fine. But she cant stand up at all. Our doctors are with the leopardess 24 hours. He expressed genuine happiness that Laxmi would in all likelihood be treated by the South African specialists. Saving her is our aim, Dr. Karawlekar said, till then she will be under our care.
It was Zoo Superinten-dent P.A. Naringrekar who had sought permission from Chief Conservator of Forests B. Majumdar (under whom the Jijamata Udyan comes) to end Laxmis misery. Representatives of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and the Animal Welfare Board reportedly conducted tests on Laxmi and agreed with Naringrekars idea. But fortunately, the BMC backed down from the decision as the D-Day drew near. Naringrekar refused to comment on the issue. No doubt, he too is glad that the decision was put off and that there is hope yet for the stricken leopardess.