25 lost leopard cubs reunited with their mothers in Maharashtra

Earlier, the forest department used to keep rescued cubs in captivity. Realising that abandoned cubs don’t survive in the wild, they started to track down their mothers.

In the past two years, 25 leopard cubs found lost in forests in Pune’s Junnar taluka have been reunited with their mothers.

Earlier, the forest department used to keep rescued cubs in captivity. Realising that abandoned cubs don’t survive in the wild, they started to track down their mothers. (File)

Earlier, the forest department used to release rescued cubs in the wild. Realising that abandoned cubs can’t survive in the environment, they started to track down their mothers.

The state forest department, with help of veterinarians from Mandikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre (MLRC) and NGO Wildlife SOS, reunited 18 lost cubs in Junnar, Ambegaon, Khed and Shirur in 2016 and the rest this year.

Members of the rescue centre said cubs get lost when their mothers go hunting leaving them in sugarcane or banana plantation.

“The reunion plays a significant role in avoiding man-animal conflict. When leopards are unable to locate their cubs, it is natural for them to turn hostile, aggressive and defensive on seeing humans in close proximity. This poses an immediate threat to farmers in the area,” said Dr Ajay Deshmukh, senior veterinarian, MLRC.

Deshmukh said returning the cubs was important to conserve leopards. “Captive leopards develop behavioural issues such as aggression and sometimes depression,” he said.

“However, the sudden appearance of the mother, slowly and carefully moving towards her cubs, seeing whether they are safe and finally carrying them in her mouth makes it satisfying and emotional,” he said.

Forest officers said loss of forest cover has led to an increase in such cases. “Crops act as safe zones for the big cats as cubs cannot be easily spotted, while parents hunt for dogs, goats and other livestock,” said SR Unde, forest guard.