Pune: A young female leopard was rescued from a dangerous 40-foot-deep open well in Junnar, thanks to the combined efforts of Wildlife SOS and the Maharashtra Forest Department. The successful rescue operation ensured the leopard’s safe retrieval and subsequent release back into the wild.
The incident unfolded when concerned residents of Teldara village in the Otur Forest Range of Pune district discovered a distressed leopard struggling to stay afloat in an open well. Realizing the urgency of the situation, the villagers immediately notified the Maharashtra Forest Department, which promptly enlisted the assistance of a rescue team from Wildlife SOS’ Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre.
Equipped with essential rescue gear, including ropes and a trap cage, the Wildlife SOS team swiftly arrived at the location. After assessing the circumstances, the team devised a well-coordinated strategy to ensure the leopard’s safe extraction.
With great care, a trap cage was lowered into the well, enticing the young leopard to climb in. Once inside the cage, the rescue team carefully lifted her out of the perilous situation. A thorough on-site health assessment by a Wildlife SOS veterinarian revealed no injuries to the leopard, providing a sigh of relief for all involved.
Dr. Chandan Sawane, Veterinary Officer at Wildlife SOS, stated, “We conducted a comprehensive health assessment of the leopard at the site. Thankfully, the young female leopard displayed no injuries. Accordingly, we handed her over to the forest department for release back into her natural habitat.”
Vaibhav Kakade, Range Forest Officer of Otur Forest Range, expressed his gratitude for the successful collaboration between the forest department and the Wildlife SOS team. He praised the seamless operation, which was completed in just half an hour.
Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS, highlighted the ongoing threat posed by open wells to leopards and other wildlife. In response to this danger, Wildlife SOS has taken proactive measures through its Open Wells Conservation Project in Maharashtra. Eleven wells have already been covered, with the aim of minimizing this risk and ensuring the safety of these majestic animals.
The successful rescue of the young leopard serves as a reminder of the importance of wildlife conservation and the need to address potential hazards in their habitats. The collaboration between Wildlife SOS and the Maharashtra Forest Department stands as a testament to the collective efforts being made to protect and preserve the natural heritage of the region.
