Leopard gives birth to 2 cubs in Jhalana

Jaipur: In good news to wildlife lovers, a female leopard – popularly known as Mrs. Khan – has given birth to two cubs at Jhalana in Jaipur.

The two leopard cubs were playing with their mother near Khan area of the forest in a hilly area when a wildlife activist spotted them on Monday. Forest officials said that Mrs. Khan littered two cubs recently.

The birth of two cubs will boost wildlife tourism at Jhalana Leopard Safari. The number of leopards at Jhalana has gone up to 31.

According to the officials, Mrs. Khan is twelve years old and gave birth to the two cubs in the dense forest area of Jhalana near Khan area. The cubs were spotted with their mother by a wildlife lover on Monday. He captured them on camera.

This is the fourth time when female leopard ‘Mrs. Khan’ has littered cubs, added officials.

Security arrangements have been stepped up in the forest area. The forest department officials are monitoring the movement of cubs.

Leopard – popularly known as Leela – gave birth to two cubs at Jhalana in Jaipur last month.

On February 21, two leopard cubs were spotted in Jhalana forest area at Jaipur near Chulgiri hills with their mother popularly knowns as Jara. Jara is a nine-year-old leopard. The cubs were believed to be 2-3 months old.

Earlier this year, a leopardess named Flora also gave birth to two cubs.

India’s first ever ‘Leopard Reserve’ was inaugurated at Jhalana forest in Jaipur on the occasion of World Animal Day in October last year. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje inaugurated the Jhalana Leopard Reserve in Jaipur under the first ever ‘Project Leopard’ initiated by the state government.