We don't go by the jungle book

Updated on: 17 February,2009 08:52 AM IST |
Chetan R |

At Bannerghatta National Park, a tiger and three leopard cubs are the best of friends, defying natural law

At Bannerghatta National Park, a tiger and three leopard cubs are the best of friends, defying natural law

A tiger cub named Gandhi is studiously following the live-and-let-live philosophy by cavorting with three leopard cubs at Bannerghatta National Park (BNP). Experts say this defies natural law.

Similarly, three leopard cubs Anu, Anchitha and Sara, 8, 6 and 4 months respectively were found in Hunsur, Mysore and Magadi forests recently and brought to BNP.u00a0

"We treat wild animals in a hospital on the premises," said Venugopal, range forest office, BNP.

"These four came together and, to our surprise, are mingling," he added.

Rare phenomenon

"It's the rarest of rare phenomenon," said Dr Basavraj, a retired veterinary doctor at BNP. "I haven't seen something like this in my lifetime."

Though both belong to the cat family, they don't mingle due to factors like territorial divide and habitat security.

"The territorial divide and habitat security are two important aspects that divide these two," said Vinod Kumar, a wildlife activist.

"But when tigers are captive, that doesn't matter. Hence, we can't rule out the possibility of tiger and leopard cubs living together. But their behaviour may change once they cross two years."

But till then, the cubs are quite happy to be living together. They share a cell, food and playing area.

"They play together from morning till evening," said Ganesh, watcher, who takes care of allu00a0 four cubs.

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