Forest department rescued four leopard cubs in Maharashtra

The four leopard cubs found in sugarcane field. Pic/Wildlife SOS

Four leopard cubs were found in Kabadwadi village's sugarcane field in Maharashtra's Junnar division. In a successful operation carried out by the Junnar Forest Department and Wildlife SOS, the 2-month-old leopard cubs were rescued and reunited with their mother.

The four leopard cubs were first spotted by local farmers while harvesting sugarcane. Aware of protocols for finding stranded leopard cubs, the farmers immediately contacted the Junnar Forest Department. The forest officers later called the Wildlife SOS team, which has been operating out of the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Center for reinforcements.

Upon arriving at the location, Dr. Nikhil Bangar, Wildlife SOS veterinary doctor, identified the cubs as two females and two males cubs. The cubs were taken to the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre for medical examination. They were found to be in good health and fit to be reunited with their mother.

To ensure a successful reunion, the team waited until nightfall to set the operation in motion as leopards are most active during this time. The cubs were placed in a safe box and kept in the same location they were found in. Camera traps were installed to monitor the cubs, to confirm that they were successfully reunited with their mother.

Camera trap captured the mother leopard approaching the field. Pic/Wildlife SOS

Relieved to find her cubs, the mother warmly greeted them and carried them off to a safer location.

Dr. Nikhil Bangar, Wildlife Veterinary Officer, Wildlife SOS, says, "Conducting a reunion at night is integral to a successful operation, keeping in mind the nocturnal nature of leopards. Further, there is minimal human presence during night time, giving the mother enough time to find and secure her cubs."

Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS, says, "Time is of the essence in these situations as the longer the separation between cubs and mother, the harder it is to reunite them. Our consistent efforts to raise awareness in the Junnar area have made villagers aware of this fact. They now act promptly by alerting concerned authorities if confronted with any stranded leopard cub."

Ajit Shinde, Range Forest Officer, Junnar says, "We are glad to see that people are becoming more sensitized towards the wildlife that shares the surrounding habitats. Today, more and more people are reaching out to us for help when they encounter leopards and other wild animals in the area."