Author: PTI
Publication: The Times of India
Date: May 14, 2003
In a rare case of predator-prey
friendship, a leopard coming to 'visit' a cow at night has literally become
the talk of the town.
The incredible ways of the two animals
at Antoli village in Waghodia taluka of Vadodara district have attracted
the attention of one and all, including wildlife activists.
According to honorary wildlife warden
Ro-hit Vyas, who has visited the village several times with other enthusiasts,
"The leopard has been visiting the cow since October last year at regular
intervals."
"After the villagers informed us
about the frequent visits of the leopard to the sugar-cane field for its
close encounter with the cow in the field, our team comprising conservator
of forest H.S. Singh and others, including wildlife enthusiasts Manoj Thakkar
and Kartik Upadhyay, visited the village for verification," Mr Vyas said
here on Tuesday "It was unbelievable," he said, adding, "they approached
each other and the fearless cow would lick the leopard on its head and
neck."
Giving details about the bond of
the animals, Mr Vyas said, "The dogs would start barking when the leopard
came to meet the waiting cow every night between 9.30 p.m. andl0.30p.rn."
The forest department, which was
trying to capture the beast, gave up its efforts after learning about the
friendship. Moreover, the leopard did not harm other animals in the village
and its visits have benefited the villagers as other animals kept away
from damaging crops in the fields and crops yields went up by 30 per cent,
Mr Vyas added.
