Visakhapatnam, February 28: While the elusive panther that struck terror in the heart of the city was finally captured on Saturday night and brought to Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, the fate of the animal continues to hang in balance.
The decision on whether to keep the four-year-old male panther at the Vizag zoo or to release it in the wild was yet to be taken by the forest officials and zoo authorities. “The animal was under stress and had not consumed food properly. We are observing its movements and also considering all possibilities. A decision will be taken in a day or two, after the animal gets back to normal state,” zoo curator G. Ramalingam told The Hindu. The panther had suffered small bruises on face and was reacting to human presence on Sunday. Zoo veterinary doctor Srinivas who was monitoring the health of panther said that the animal must have strayed in search food in the early hours of the day and lost its way.
-Agencies