Bhubaneswar: Sambalpur Zoo celebrated a landmark moment as its newly paired leopards, Raja and Rani, began mating soon after being introduced to the same enclosure, sparking hopes for the birth of leopard cubs in Odisha’s zoos—the first since 1982 at Nandankanan Zoo.
The male leopard, Raja, aged eight, was rescued from Nuapada district in November 2023 following reports of human-wildlife conflict, where he attacked two people and injured another. After his arrival at Sambalpur Zoo’s Rescue Centre on November 8, 2023, Raja underwent 11 months of treatment and quarantine, carefully overseen by the Hirakud Wildlife Division.
On September 9, 2024, Raja was moved to the same night house as Rani, a resident female, though the two were initially kept physically separated to observe their interactions. After a month of cautious monitoring, zookeepers noticed promising signs of compatibility between the leopards, with friendly communication and affectionate behavior indicating a strong pairing potential. Finally, on October 9, 2024, Raja and Rani were introduced to the same enclosure, and on November 9, zoo visitors were thrilled to witness the pair engaging in mating behaviors, accompanied by affectionate exchanges such as tail rubbing, grooming, and playful chases.
The leopards’ interactions are now closely monitored through CCTV in their glass-view enclosure. This state-of-the-art space, expanded to 550 square meters in 2023, includes a 20-by-7-foot glass viewing area, offering visitors a close view of the leopards’ activities. It also features enrichment elements such as hammocks for both leopards and bears, enhancing comfort and stimulating natural behaviors.
The Sambalpur Zoo and Hirakud Wildlife Division team are optimistic that this pairing will lead to new cubs, marking a potential milestone for wildlife conservation in the state, as it has been over four decades since a successful leopard birth in Odisha’s zoos.