A leopard cub was rescued after it was hit by a vehicle in
A leopard cub was struck by a vehicle as it was trying to cross a busy road in southern India's Karnataka.
This incident happened near the Turahalli forest area close to Bengaluru on April 3.
Visuals showed the leopard cub stuck underneath the vehicle after it was hit by it. The animal with its tail visible from underneath the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus along the Kengeri-Chikka Gowdanapalya route.
Later on, the wild animal was spotted by the side of the road and passers-by attempted to revive it by pouring water on its face. The leopard cub moved about a bit but was seemingly injured.
In another visual, the leopard emerged from beneath the bus as officials apprehended the cub and placed it inside a net, subsequently transferring it to a cage.
According to reports, residents of the Turahalli forest area on the outskirts of Bengaluru were alarmed when they spotted an 8-month-old leopard cub, prompting concern. Seeking shelter, the cub took refuge in a parked truck near the forest before being rescued by a team of forest officials.
According to a statement released by the BMTC, a bus traveling on route number 224 from Kengeri bus stand to Chikkegowdanapalya encountered a leopard near Turahalli forest. A mother leopard and her cub sought refuge under the bus. Although the Forest Department officials were able to capture the cub, the mother leopard evaded capture. The Forest Department is currently making efforts to locate and apprehend the mother leopard, as stated by the BMTC in the release.
PfA's Chief Veterinarian, Colonel Dr. Nawaz Sharif, explained, "The leopard was hit by a car and was disoriented. It sought shelter under a nearby bus. Upon receiving the information, our team promptly arrived at the scene within 10 minutes. One of our curators went beneath the bus and safely retrieved the sub-adult female leopard. We conducted a rescue without anesthesia and swiftly transported her to the PfA wildlife hospital. After a mild sedation, we conducted thorough clinical assessments, revealing no fractures or internal injuries. She is in excellent health."
The rescue team, comprising Rahul, Salman, Vasanth, and Dr. Madhav, coordinated with the local Karnataka forest department upon receiving the information. Forest guards managed the crowd while our team, equipped with safety gear, successfully executed the rescue within 2-3 minutes. Following the rescue, the leopard was promptly transported to the hospital, where scans and x-rays indicated no injuries, leading to the decision to release the leopard back into its habitat.
Colonel Sharif emphasized the significance of mitigating human-animal conflicts, particularly in habitats adjacent to forests like Turahalli. He highlighted the importance of cautious driving through forested areas, noting that the leopard, despite the car collision, remained unharmed. He also referenced a recent incident involving the rescue of a deer injured by a vehicle, underscoring the ongoing challenges of wildlife conservation amidst human activities.
