Leopard cub succumbs to hunger, stress

Days after the forest department found and successfully trapped a five-month-old leopard cub from inside the house of a local in Acchad village, Palghar, the animal passed away on Tuesday morning. After the cub’s medical reports in Palghar suggested immediate treatment, she was taken to Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) late night on Sunday, October 9, on an emergency basis. However, despite several attempts, she succumbed to a fit on Tuesday morning.

Park officials said the cub was in an emaciated condition with little or no muscle and fat mass.

The Asian Age on October 10 had reported that Dahanu forest officials decided to transport the cub owing to extreme weakness as highlighted in the blood test report.

Park officials said that the cub was in such a bad condition probably because of prolonged starvation and stress. Blood tests revealed very low haemoglobin and cell counts. Liver function was found to be depressed and the prognosis went from poor to grave. “The post mortem will be conducted on Thursday afternoon. Results will be possibly available on Saturday,” said Dr Shailesh Pethe, veterinarian of SGNP.

The forest department had conducted tests after trapping the leopard and had found the animal to be weak which is why the department had decided to transport the animal to SGNP on Sunday night. Deputy chief conservator, Dahanu division, N.S. Ladkat explained, “The leopard hadn’t eaten anything for more than two weeks. She was too weak to survive. However, she will be cremated in the park itself.”