This was the moment a leopard cub ran back into the wild on May 31 after a miraculous recovery from paralysis after a road accident in west India.

After months of extensive medical treatment and physiotherapy with help from experts at Wildlife SOS, the young leopard was able to walk again and has safely returned to the wild.

The seven-month-old female leopard was found severely injured after a road accident in early January, near Igatpuri, Maharashtra state, which left it paralysed with spinal trauma, and it was taken to Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Center, run by Wildlife SOS in Junnar.

The leopard cub was cared for by Dr Ajay Deshmukh, who combined a number of physiotherapy techniques including massages, stretches and assisted walks, to help it recover over five months, until it was released near where it was first found at Igatpuri.

Dr Deshmukh, commented: “The young leopard’s undaunted spirit to heal and get back on her feet has been truly inspiring. Her recovery has been quite miraculous, and we are grateful to the Forest Department for supporting our efforts to give this cub a second chance at life.”

Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder & CEO Wildlife SOS said, “This leopard was just one among the hundreds of animals in India to have fallen victim to such an incident caused by negligent driving.

"The absence of wildlife corridors is one reason for the recurring of such cases. On finding their territory and prey base depleting due to the unwarranted invasion of their natural habitats, wild animals are constantly forced to seek out other means for survival, usually by becoming dependent on human habitation.

Unaccustomed to the noise and flow of traffic, the animals face problems while navigating the busy roads amidst speeding vehicles.”

Moment Leopard Cub runs to wild after Miraculous recovery for paralysed due to road accident in India.

A female leopard cub left paralysed after falling victim to a road accident near Igatpuri, Maharashtra was brought for medical care to the Wildlife SOS Leopard Rescue Centre by Forest Department officers.  After months of extensive medical treatment and physiotherapy with help from experts at Wildlife SOS, the young leopard was able to walk again and has safely returned to the wild.

Earlier this year first week of January, a 7-month-old female leopard got into a dreadful road accident and was found critically injured near Igatpuri located in Nashik district, Maharashtra. The young feline was rescued by the Forest Department and later transferred to the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Center, run by Wildlife SOS in Junnar.

Detailed X-ray reports revealed that the cub had sustained spinal injuries which had caused complete limb paralysis, and her chances of recovery appeared bleak. Determined to give her a second chance at life, the NGO’s veterinary team mustered all efforts to help the leopard walk again!

Wildlife SOS senior veterinarian Dr. Ajay Deshmukh and his team carried out a holistic treatment inclusive of medication as well as extensive physiotherapy sessions. Comprising of stretching exercises, massages and assisted walks, the aim of the physiotherapy was to reduce the pain while improving movement and restoring normal muscle control. Months of extensive treatment eventually paid off and the leopard made a miraculous full recovery.

The next step was to ensure that the leopard gets a chance to safely return to her natural habitat. The Wildlife SOS team and Forest Department thought it best to release the cub in Igatpuri, where she was first found, as it is a suitable leopard habitat.

Dr. Ajay Deshmukh, Senior Veterinarian at the Wildlife SOS Leopard Rescue Centre in Manikdoh said “The young leopard’s undaunted spirit to heal and get back on her feet has been truly inspiring. Her recovery has been quite miraculous, and we are grateful to the Forest Department for supporting our efforts to give this cub a second chance at life.”

Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder & CEO Wildlife SOS said, “This leopard was just one among the hundreds of animals in India to have fallen victim to such an incident caused by negligent driving. The absence of wildlife corridors is one reason for the recurring of such cases. On finding their territory and prey base depleting due to the unwarranted invasion of their natural habitats, wild animals are constantly forced to seek out other means for survival, usually by becoming dependent on human habitation. Unaccustomed to the noise and flow of traffic, the animals face problems while navigating the busy roads amidst speeding vehicles.”