Comments on: ‘Extinct’ Leopard Cub Discovered in Bangladesh

By: catmom

catmom — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 15:32:08 +0000

Consider this:

Next time this situation arises — the conservation group needs to step forward and ensure it makes the highest bid.

It turns the cub over to a reputable clouded leopard breeding program (there’s one in India, not far away.)

But the conservationists can’t stop there — otherwise these villagers will see there’s a reward ($) but no penalty for catching wildlife to sell.

They’re not stupid people. They’re not evil. They’re poor. They see cubs as desperately needed income.

Would you save a cub, or feed your family?

Unfortunately for the clouded leopard — they both live in an endangered ecosystem.

Conservationists can bring to bear resources that help people access the basic necessities.

The villagers can then be brought into the effort to preserve these cats and their environment.

It can become their mission — to protect and preserve. Handled properly, it can even become a source of income.

It’s been done elsewhere. Check out http://www.cloudedleopard.org operating in Vietnam.

This approach entails some serious time and investment. It requires absolute commitment and dependable financial support.

Shooting off emails expressing outrage is very necessary, too! The WORLD needs to see what’s going on! But it’s a just a start.

The hardest part is putting the infrastructure in place: a dedicated program with boots on the ground — in Bangladesh.

Then WE need to keep sending them dollars. A grassroots effort can add up to plenty money.

We can’t rescue the leopards — and leave the people in misery. They BOTH inhabit that ecosystem. We have to rescue BOTH, together.

By: rob caudill

rob caudill — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 22:05:52 +0000

This is one of the most disturbing stories I have read in a while. When will people ever learn? Not only are we taking up any natural habitat these animals have left, but we are trying to sell off the ones who are unlucky enough to stray out too far. It is a sad day when you actually realize that the days of living in harmony with animals is gone.

By: sherry

sherry — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 21:04:07 +0000

WoW We are humans have still not learned a thing, sick sick sick we are distroying the earth with our greed

By: ohiobuckndoe

ohiobuckndoe — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 20:58:50 +0000

I hope the people take better care of them this time it would be a shame to let this wouderful animal die off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Diane

Diane — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 20:33:48 +0000

I disagree with Jasmine. It would not have been better for someone “trustworthy” to have kept this cub. Who do you consider trustworthy? This cub was going to be sold to the highest bidder and that, probably, would have been someone who hunts these animals for medicinal properties. Do I agree with it being released in the wild alone? Hell no. What should have happened when they got these people to agree to turn it loose was to find a zoo (still not a perfect scenario) to take care of it. It has little chance of finding its mother and will die of starvation if no other predator finds it first.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 20:06:36 +0000

This is very sad – to catch a young animal & then just set it free with no concern for his/her safety. No one could do something more for this little animal?

By: Nathalie

Nathalie — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 19:34:24 +0000

It worries me the cub released back in the wild won’t survive without its’ mother … we’ll never know for sure anyway.

By: Kat

Kat — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 19:26:17 +0000

God what complete morons!! They catch a clouded leapord cub (or any wild animal) to sell…then release it AFTER the mother is long gone ensuring its starvation or death by a predator.

This is exactly why they are extinct to begin with.

Sick bastards.

By: Mia

Mia — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 19:03:08 +0000

Proving once again that humans are incredibly stupid, too stupid to have survived this long. The villagers manage to capture a rare, if not almost extinct, creature and what’s the first thing they do? Try to sell it to the highest bidder for money. The money will get spent, but the clouded leopard may never appear again on this earth. Geez, what’s wrong with people?

By: Darla Wear

Darla Wear — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 18:45:21 +0000

What a shame that some humans, whenever finding something rare and good, take it or trash it, forever changing what was natural and beautiful. The cub should have been left alone with it’s mother. It is quite possible if it was put back close enough and due to their powerful sense of smell, it could find its way back to her.