Gurgaon: Two Indian palm civet cats released back in the Aravallis

A three-member rescue team arrived at the location around 5pm on Friday and safely rescued the animals within 30 minutes from the tree where they had taken shelter after a few stray dogs tried to harm them.

Two Indian palm civet cats were released back into the Aravallis on Saturday after they were rescued by wildlife department from near Bhondsi Jail on Friday.

Two Indian palm civet cats were released back into the Aravallis after being rescued from near Bhondsi jail on Friday. (HT Photo)

The residents of Bhondsi village informed the department about the eight-month-old male civet cats doing the rounds of the area. Upon getting the information, the wildlife wing rushed to the spot with a cage, first-aid, water and food for the animals. The species is protected under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

A three-member rescue team arrived at the location around 5pm on Friday and safely rescued the animals within 30 minutes from the tree where they had taken shelter after a few stray dogs tried to harm them.

“The cats must have gotten separated from their mother and they were unable to come down from the tree as they are very young. They were given the required fluids and were rescued properly,” Vinod Kumar, conservator of wildlife, south Haryana, said.

Civet cats are common to the region, however, Indian palm civet species is a rare breed that feed on fruits, berries, insects and small mammals.

“The Indian palm civet cats are a rare and shy species,” Dr Ashok Khasa, a veterinary surgeon, who works with the wildlife department, said.

Both the cats were kept under observation by the wildlife department at its Gurgaon office the entire night. As both cats were found to be healthy, the officials released them back into the wild.

The Wildlife Institute of India (WII), in its survey of 51 sites in the Aravallis, had revealed presence of 10 mammalian species that also include small Indian civet which is found in the Aravalli hills. However, the Indian palm civet cats is rare, said Khasa. The survery findings were released in June.

The WII report had pointed out that the Aravalli has a variety of wildlife which include leopard, striped hyena, golden jackal, grey wolf, Indian fox, jungle cat, grey mongoose, small Indian civet, Indian crested porcupine, Indian hare, wild boar, Rhesus macaque, blue bull (Nilgai) and the Indian gazelle (chinkara).