Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, Feb 27: The wildlife rescue center at Gujjar Padav in the Dhela range of Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) is set for expansion, with plans to increase enclosures for big cats, an official confirmed on Thursday.
CTR Director Saket Badola stated that a proposal has been submitted to senior forest department officials for constructing 16 additional enclosures for tigers and leopards at the facility. Currently, the center houses 10 enclosures for each species, serving as a crucial rehabilitation point for old and injured wildlife.
Since its inception in 2021, the center has treated 11 tigers, of which eight were successfully rehabilitated and released into the wild. Tigers deemed unfit for release were relocated to Dehradun Zoological Park. Additionally, three leopards were treated—two were released, while one succumbed to injuries.
Apart from big cats, the rescue center has also provided medical care to two domesticated elephants of the reserve, which have now resumed patrolling the core forest area.
Badola emphasized that conflicts among male tigers for territorial dominance have increased due to the growing tiger population in Uttarakhand. In such cases, the rescue centre remains a vital facility for treating injured tigers, making its expansion necessary for wildlife conservation efforts.
