Government hunting for predator

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, December 3, 2018: Manipur chief minister Nonthombam Biren Singh today said people not need to get panic over the rampant killing of livestock by an unknown predator saying that experts will find out the reality.

He said experts from Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun had already arrived and started investigation.

CCTV cameras had been installed and traps have been laid at different locations to identify the mysterious predator, he added.

Wild animals had apparently come down to residential areas as their homes have been destructed and trespass by us, which is very clear, said the chief minister.

It is the small animal “Keijenglang” (leopard cat). He said he has uploaded on his Facebook page of a video how the cat attacks livestock.

Forest and environment minister Th. Shyamkumar appeals the people of Manipur to stop carrying out activities of blasting fire crackers, fire gunshots, burning of straw bush, etc, in the evening in the name of preventing the unnoticed predator from attacking domestic animals and fowls.

The WII experts are investigating by analysing with the footprints of the unknown predator. In the coming 2-3 days we will be able to find out the reality, added the chief minister.

“We could find dogs, Keijenglang and different animals in the cages fixed to trap the unknown killer”. “Cameras have been installed at different locations where the predator would come to hunt” said Shyamkumar.

The ministers warned to punish those who upload horrifying fake pictures of the predator on social media.

He said Keijenglang is present at the river bank bushes in Imphal areas as such in Kangla. “Please don’t kill these animals, they are not harmful to humans”, said the minister.

The state forest department has appealed the people to the department in investigating the cases. It also appealed to keep pet dogs properly tied at homes in evening and at night and not to let them stray in the night for next four weeks

It also appeals to properly cage livestock with proper lighting in the surroundings where the livestock are kept.

Urging the people not to panic, the department also appeals to inform it if there is any sighting or attack by wild animals. It also appeals not to kill if any wild animal is caught and to inform about it.

To report related incidents the department provides contact numbers as Thoubal – 8787701163, Bishnupur – 9818163059, 8729817270, 9863701780, Central (Imphal East and West) – 9458963522, Churachandpur – 8119979537, Kangpokpi – 9436894794, Ukhrul – 9436034886, 8860165944, Kamjong – 7005653943, Jiribam – 9436034894, Chandel – 9436034900, 8794692177, Tengnoupal – 8837003519, Noney – 9436034901, Senapati – 8794472934, Pherzawl – 8730986871, Tamenglong – 9436034887

It also provided control room number at the office of Chief Wildlife Warden, Manipur-8259976394 (For information on status of investigation, etc.)