The Re-introduction of Large Cats into Wildlife Protected Areas

Abstract

Despite successful conservation programmes for tiger and leopard in India, the subject of reintroducing these animals into wild situations is still discussed by conservationists. This paper describes three possible reasons for such reintroductions: creating new or bolstering small existing population; releasing captured 'problem' animals such as habitual stock lifters; and rehabilitaiting captive bred 'tamed' individuals. We conclude that none of these reasons has sufficient justification for planning reintroduction projects of tiger or leopard in India today, on conservation or ethical grounds.