Leopard cub rescued in Maharashtra awaits reunion with mother

After a farmer from the area spotted the cub in his farm, he alerted the forest department and a rescue team from NGO Wildlife SOS’ Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre reached the spot.

A one-and-half-month-old male leopard cub, separated from its mother, was rescued from a sugarcane field near Sangamner, Ahmednagar district, by forest officials on Saturday.

A one-and-half-month-old male leopard cub, separated from its mother, was rescued from a sugarcane field near Sangamner, Ahmednagar district, by forest officials on Saturday. (Wildlife SOS)

After a farmer from the area spotted the cub in his farm, he alerted the forest department and a rescue team from NGO Wildlife SOS’ Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre reached the spot.

A one-and-half-month-old male leopard cub, separated from its mother, was rescued from a sugarcane field near Sangamner, Ahmednagar district, by forest officials on Saturday. (Wildlife SOS)

“When we arrived at the location, the cub was trembling with fear and hunger,” said SW Upasane, local forest guard. “We decided to feed him milk and water, while we waited for the mother to return for her cub. However, she failed to show up hours later.”

Veterinarians said that cubs this young cannot survive on their own and need temporary foster care. “Since it is so young, the cub has been longing for its mother. We are currently attempting to release it back in that location, hoping that it might reunite with its mother,” said Dr Ajay Deshmukh, senior veterinarian, Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre adding that after conducting a medical examination for ticks and injuries, the cub was found to be in good health.

Members from Wildlife SOS said over the last two years, the group had successfully reunited over 40 cubs that were lost, injured or separated from their mothers. “We hope to make the same possible for this cub, but heavy rains in the region have made it slightly difficult for us to complete the operation.”

The scrub forests of Maharashtra has a large population of leopards and the cats also move in fields in search of prey. “The tall sugarcane fields in the region provide a safe cover for these animals that are struggling to find a foothold due to their habitat modification over the years,” said Deshmukh.