Much like a movie, the rescue leopard that was missing for five days now, suddenly appeared near the nursery area behind guest house of forest department office on the sixth day in Navratanbagh area on Tuesday. The forest team rescued the injured weak leopard cub and took it to Kamla Nehru Prani Sanghralaya immediately.
The Rescue Operation
Step 1: Covering the leopard, no chance to escape
Forest team covered the leopard from all four sides and slowly cornered the little cub into a field. The team covered the little cub from all the sides by ensuring that the periphery is safe.
The leopard attempted to run from people. It was running from people and avoiding any chance of being caught.
With pic – step 2 leopard rescue with team
Step 2: Getting closer, leopard sedated & captured
The team of forest officials slowly got closer and cornered the leopard in a field. The leopard attempted to run for a while.
However, the little one was rather weak and slow as compared to a natural, healthy leopard cub.
The team of experts caught the leopard and sedated it immediately.
With pic - step 3 leopard rescued
Step 3: Leopard carried & caged with safety
The leopard after being sedated was carried by the team of officials in arms. Unlike earlier rescue, where the leopard was taken on a stretcher, this one was carried like a little baby.
It seemed harmless, because of weakness and age. The leopard was put in a safe cage with metal rods.
Step 4: Off to get better & recover at city zoo
Finally, looking the condition of the leopard, it was immediately rushed to city zoo. The leopard seemed weak, injured and pained.
As per the records, it has not eaten for more than six days now.
Looking for the leopard, found in house!
“There was movement at night, as we were informed by a resident named Ashish Gupta,” Narendra Pandwa, Divisional forest officer (DFO), said. The resident had called and informed that dogs were barking too much and there seems a possibility of a leopard.
“At night, when we went to Radio Colony and other areas near forest department office, we didn't find anything,” Pandwa said.
Further, the forest team was sitting in their office in Navratanbagh on Tuesday morning, when they spotted the leopard right behind their office. “We were mapping and planning to find the leopard, while the leopard was literally sitting beside us!” Pandwa said.
Step 1: Covering the leopard, no chance to escape
Forest team covered the leopard from all four sides and slowly cornered the little cub into a field. The team covered the little cub from all the sides by ensuring that the periphery is safe.
The leopard attempted to run from people. It was running from people and avoiding any chance of being caught.
With pic – step 2 leopard rescue with team
Step 2: Getting closer, leopard sedated & captured
The team of forest officials slowly got closer and cornered the leopard in a field. The leopard attempted to run for a while.
However, the little one was rather weak and slow as compared to a natural, healthy leopard cub.
The team of experts caught the leopard and sedated it immediately.
With pic - step 3 leopard rescued
Step 3: Leopard carried & caged with safety
The leopard after being sedated was carried by the team of officials in arms. Unlike earlier rescue, where the leopard was taken on a stretcher, this one was carried like a little baby.
It seemed harmless, because of weakness and age. The leopard was put in a safe cage with metal rods.
Step 4: Off to get better & recover at city zoo
Finally, looking the condition of the leopard, it was immediately rushed to city zoo. The leopard seemed weak, injured and pained.
As per the records, it has not eaten for more than six days now.
Looking for the leopard, found in house!
“There was movement at night, as we were informed by a resident named Ashish Gupta,” Narendra Pandwa, Divisional forest officer (DFO), said. The resident had called and informed that dogs were barking too much and there seems a possibility of a leopard.
“At night, when we went to Radio Colony and other areas near forest department office, we didn't find anything,” Pandwa said.
Further, the forest team was sitting in their office in Navratanbagh on Tuesday morning, when they spotted the leopard right behind their office. “We were mapping and planning to find the leopard, while the leopard was literally sitting beside us!” Pandwa said.
Doubtful survival in wild for the leopard
“The leopard has been sedated and taken to city zoo for now. It will be under observation and care for a couple of days until it recovers. We can further decide whether it will become capable of surviving in the wild or not. It seems tough for the cub to hunt in wild, as it rather starved for 6 days than hunt.”
Narendra Pandwa
DFO
Narendra Pandwa
DFO
Focus on strengthening the rescue team now
“The leopard shall be in Zoo for constant health monitoring. The parameters seem to be normal. The animal is dehydrated. Rehydration and treatment shall help animal to get back to action soon.
We will now be focusing on strengthening the rescue team and the equipment being used. Self belief in a rescue with and equipping them shall hold the key.”
HS Mohanta
Chief conservator of forest
“The leopard shall be in Zoo for constant health monitoring. The parameters seem to be normal. The animal is dehydrated. Rehydration and treatment shall help animal to get back to action soon.
We will now be focusing on strengthening the rescue team and the equipment being used. Self belief in a rescue with and equipping them shall hold the key.”
HS Mohanta
Chief conservator of forest
Leopard escaped before reaching city zoo?
A much believed and understood possibility that wildlife enthusiasts and city zoo-incharge agree with is that the leopard fled much before reaching the city zoo.
Based on this, there arises a possibility that the forest vehicle carrying the wildcat stopped midway at forest office in Navratanbagh.
While the officials were catching up, the leopard sneaked out and has been straying in the mini city forest looking for its mother there.
However, the forest team negates the possibility of the vehicle coming to Indore forest office. “I am pretty sure, the truck never reached Navratanbag. Animal somehow managed to cover the distance and negotiate the traffic,” CCF HS Mohanta said.
A much believed and understood possibility that wildlife enthusiasts and city zoo-incharge agree with is that the leopard fled much before reaching the city zoo.
Based on this, there arises a possibility that the forest vehicle carrying the wildcat stopped midway at forest office in Navratanbagh.
While the officials were catching up, the leopard sneaked out and has been straying in the mini city forest looking for its mother there.
However, the forest team negates the possibility of the vehicle coming to Indore forest office. “I am pretty sure, the truck never reached Navratanbag. Animal somehow managed to cover the distance and negotiate the traffic,” CCF HS Mohanta said.
Condition of the leopard is ‘not good’...What does city zoo say now...
While denying the presence of the leopard in the city, city zoo officials were confident and assertive. However, the appearance of the same injured leopard is tough for the officials to to digest now.
When they were told about the presence of the leopard at Navratanbag locality, they were baffled and tried to explain their point of view.
“The leopard is injured and both of its hind legs are paralysed. There is hardly any movement in its tail as well, and it's not possible for it to even walk properly,” claimed zoo in-charge Dr Uttam Yadav, after examining the health condition of the wildcat.
“We fed it chicken and water, and are keeping a watch on its movement,” added Yadav.
While denying the presence of the leopard in the city, city zoo officials were confident and assertive. However, the appearance of the same injured leopard is tough for the officials to to digest now.
When they were told about the presence of the leopard at Navratanbag locality, they were baffled and tried to explain their point of view.
“The leopard is injured and both of its hind legs are paralysed. There is hardly any movement in its tail as well, and it's not possible for it to even walk properly,” claimed zoo in-charge Dr Uttam Yadav, after examining the health condition of the wildcat.
“We fed it chicken and water, and are keeping a watch on its movement,” added Yadav.