As per WLPA, the State Board for Wildlife consists of the Chief Minister as chairperson, Environment and Forest Minister as vice chairperson, three members of the state legislature, three persons representing non-government organisations dealing with wildlife, and 10 eminent conservationists, ecologists, and environmentalists to be nominated by the state government, apart from others.
According to senior officials, the decision to shoot the leopard was taken after all other options had been exhausted. Officials also said that special permission was sought from the Chief Wildlife Warden before shooting the animal.
Since the forest department does not have the provision to recruit veterinary officers to work at around 10 zoos maintained by it, veterinary officers are posted at these zoos, including Bannerghatta Biological Park, by the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services department on deputation for five years.
The increased number of jumbos being made captive and sent out is because of the rise in incidents of human-elephant conflicts, say experts. Moreover, as more elephants are being caught from high conflict zones, the elephant camps in the state have already hit maximum capacity.