Three leopards from the South Khayerbari rescue centre here will head for three zoos in south Bengal.

Rescued leopards of north Bengal are brought to this centre. Their upkeep is costly, a forester said, and a leopard can’t be released at the site it was found to prevent man-animal conflict according to Central Zoo Authority (CZA) norms. Hence, the state forest department had urged the CZA to allow shifting of rescued leopards to Bengal zoos.

“The CZA has given us approval and so three leopards from South Khayerbari will be sent to zoos in south Bengal in 10 days,” said Rajendra Jakhar, chief conservator of forests (wildlife, north). After that, 18 leopards will remain at the rescue centre.

A leopard from Bengal Safari Park near Siliguri will also be sent to south Bengal, he said.