Mumbai: Third leopard cub dies at Borivli national park

The third of the four leopard cubs brought to Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) rescue centre on March 31, died on Sunday owing to lack of nutrition and proper grooming.

The third of the four leopard cubs brought to Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) rescue centre on March 31, died on Sunday owing to lack of nutrition and proper grooming.

Vikas Gupta, director and chief conservator of forest, SGNP, said, “Like the first two cubs, the third cub died owing to dehydration. We are trying our best to save the last cub.”

SGNP veterinarian Sanjiv Pinjarkar said, “Owing to the lack of colostrum [also known as beestings or first milk], their immune system has not developed. Excess dehydration has only worsened their condition, making it difficult for them to survive.”

Gupta said forest officials and doctors have been kept on standby at the rescue centre to take care of the last cub.

Pinjarkar said, “The cub is weak. We have consulted professors from Bombay veterinary college to help us with the nutrition; it is currently being fed powdered milk.”